SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Crime Victims

Vincent Cable: To ask the Solicitor-General if he will make a statement on his role in enhancing the position of victims of crime in the criminal justice system.

Mike O'Brien: The Government are committed to placing victims at the heart of the criminal justice system.
	The prosecutors' Pledge, issued last month, sets out for the first time the level of service victims can expect to receive from prosecutors. Separately, the No Witness, No Justice" programme is being implemented and there are now some 131 witness care units providing support to victims and witnesses. The CPS has recently concluded a pilot of the use of independent advisers to help victims of domestic violence through the prosecution process, and I am looking at ways of building on its success by piloting a similar project in rape cases.

Crown Prosecution Service

Andrew Turner: To ask the Solicitor-General if he will make a statement on the co-location of Crown Prosecution Service offices with police stations.

Mike O'Brien: CPS staff are located in a number of police stations under the charging scheme. This enables the CPS and police to work together effectively as part of the prosecution team, to bring more offences to justice and improve public confidence.

Incitement to Religious Hatred

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Solicitor-General what assessment he has made of whether it will be necessary for the Law Officers to recruit additional staff to prosecute cases of incitement to religious hatred if Parliament legislates to make this an offence.

Mike O'Brien: As with the existing offences of incitement to racial hatred, we do not consider that there will be a large number of prosecutions. Prosecutions for racial hatred offences, have averaged around four a year since 1987.

Fraud Bill

Janet Anderson: To ask the Solicitor-General what recent discussions the Attorney-General has had with the senior judiciary on the common law offence of conspiracy to defraud and whether to include provisions to repeal it in the Fraud Bill.

Mike O'Brien: Yes. Following the committee stage of the Fraud Bill on 19 July, the right hon. Lord Justice Rose wrote to the Attorney-General expressing the unanimous view of the Rose Committee that conspiracy to defraud should be retained as it can be the most effective charge in a case where multiple defendants are engaged in a fraudulent course of conduct.

Community Justice

Graham Allen: To ask the Solicitor-General what steps the Crown Prosecution Service has taken to support the concept of community courts and community justice panels in Nottingham and other parts of England; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: The CPS is committed to improving the way it engages with the communities it serves and published a Community Engagement Strategy in May 2005. The CPS has played an important role in developing the first community court projects in North Liverpool and Salford. It will, however, be necessary to carefully evaluate these projects before considering wider roll out. In Nottingham, the Chief Crown Prosecutor intends to explore options for developing community justice approaches through the local Criminal Justice Board.

Special Advisers

John Hemming: To ask the Solicitor-General if he will list the special advisers in post in the Law Officers Departments, broken down by pay band; and what the total budgeted cost to these Departments of special advisers is for 2005–06.

Mike O'Brien: None; the Law Officers Departments employ no special advisers.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Departmental Targets

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to meet her Department's 2004 public service agreement (PSA) number 4; what assessment she has made of the extent to which the indicators associated with PSA 4 relate to matters that fall within her ministerial responsibilities; and what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on meeting PSA 4.

Jim Knight: In relation to rural economic productivity the regional development agencies (RDAs) have been tasked as key strategic partners for the delivery of PSA 4. This is reflected in the Government's tasking framework and RDA corporate plans. To support the RDAs in their work DEFRA has increased its contribution to the RDA single pot to £72 million per annum from April 2005.
	This challenging target, including the section dealing with rural access to services, also requires a wider effort ensuring that the effectiveness of the all Departments and delivery agents in delivering to all communities, including rural ones, is maximised. My responsibility is to ensure that rural proofing, now a requirement of all Departments in the development of policy and delivery of services, is taking place. Defra continues to work closely with partners at all levels to ensure that spending is effectively aligned and contributes to the target.
	In the previous Parliament the Minister of State for Rural Affairs regularly met with cabinet colleagues to discuss their part in the developing rural agenda, and plans are in hand to hold further meetings over the coming months. PSA targets are regularly discussed in PSX cabinet committee.

Endangered Species (Northamptonshire)

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her latest assessment is of the most endangered species of (a) flora and (b) fauna in Northamptonshire; and what steps are being taken to reverse their decline.

Jim Knight: As with so many other lowland areas in England, wildlife habitats in Northamptonshire have been deteriorating in quality and becoming more fragmented. This has been due to a number of factors, such as:
	past intensification of agriculture;
	water management;
	invasive non-native species;
	inappropriate management of woodlands;
	development pressures;
	and more recently, climate change.
	As a result there has been a decline in the area and quality of wildlife habitat and their associated species, in particular traditional hay meadows and birds such as snipe and lapwing.
	A number of measures are in place to address these issues:
	The new agri-environment schemes (Higher Level and Entry Level Stewardship Schemes) are being taken forward across the county;
	The Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) has identified a number of priority actions and targets, such as re-creation of limestone grassland on arable land, led in Northamptonshire by the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Peterborough;
	The Milton Keynes South Midlands Growth Area has focused efforts on the contribution to sustainable communities of green infrastructure". A great deal of work, led by the River Nene Regional Park, has been carried out to determine how and where natural assets (including BAP habitats) should be restored, and recreated to protect and enhance Northamptonshire's natural environment, alongside the growth agenda;
	The Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits SSSI will be notified on 24 November 2005, safeguarding 1,390ha of gravel pits and wet woodland, as well as internationally important number of wintering birds. Approval is currently being sought from Defra for consultation on the Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits pSPA
	Government objectives for planning as stated in PPS9 are to conserve, enhance and restore the diversity of England's wildlife and geology;
	For the future, the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill provides an extension of the CROW biodiversity duty to public bodies and statutory undertakers to ensure due regard to the conservation of biodiversity.

Snares

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her response is to the recommendations of the independent working group on snares; if she will review her Department's Code of Practice on snares; and if she will bring forward proposals to make the code legally binding.

Jim Knight: DEFRA has produced a Snares Action Plan in response to the recommendations of the Independent Snares Working Group. DEFRA's Code of Good Practice on the use of Snares in Fox and Rabbit Control was published on 19 October 2005. DEFRA will review the Code of Practice during the next three years and will also consider making the Code of Practice legally binding.

Warm Front Scheme

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many households were helped by the Warm Front programme in the latest year for which figures are available.

Elliot Morley: During 2004–05 some 187,940 households received assistance from the Warm Front scheme.

Water Supply (Coventry)

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the quality of the water supply in Coventry.

Elliot Morley: Drinking water is supplied to the constituency of Coventry South by Severn Trent Water. The water supply is made up of two water supply zones for monitoring purposes—the Coventry City Centre and Whitely Zone and the Tile Hill, Balsall Common and Knowle Zone.
	The independent Drinking Water Inspectorate has scrutinised the results of the 3,812 tests of samples of drinking water collected in these two zones between 1 January and 31 August 2005. I am advised by the Chief Inspector of Drinking Water that all these tests (most taken at consumers kitchen taps) met the very strict European and national drinking water quality standards.
	Severn Trent Water is required by the health authority to artificially fluoridate drinking water in the constituency of Coventry South. The Drinking Water Inspectorate have advised that tests in 2005 show that the drinking water health standard for fluoride (1.5 mg/l) has not been exceeded and the dental health fluoride dosing target value (1.0 mg/l) has been achieved.

WALES

Departmental Assets

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the 10 most valuable (a) movable and (b) immovable assets owned by his Department.

Peter Hain: The Wales Office movable assets are its furniture pool, with a net book value (NBV) of £61,904 as of 31 March 2005. The only immovable asset is Gwydyr House and surrounding grounds based on Whitehall. The net book value as of 31 March 2005, is shown as £2,950,000.

Ministerial Travel

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list, for each year since 1995, the number of flights, including helicopter flights, taken by Ministers within his Department for UK and overseas visits; on how many occasions (a) charter flights were used and (b) first and club class tickets were obtained; and if he will indicate who accompanied the Ministers on each trip.

Peter Hain: All ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.
	In respect of overseas travel by Ministers, since 1999 the Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year. The list indicates when non-scheduled flights were used, (and shows how many officials accompanied Ministers in those circumstances). The Government have also published on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of the House. These report information reaching back to 1995–96. Information for 2005–06 will be published after the end of the financial year.
	Since the Wales Office was established in July 1999 we have never used helicopters.
	Detailed information requested in respect to the number of flight taken by Ministers can be provided only at a disproportionate cost, for the years 1999 to 2003–04.
	(a) No charter flights were taken during financial year 2004–05.
	(b) A total of four first class tickets were purchased during period 2004–05, to Hong Kong where two officials and one special adviser accompanied the Minister.

NHS Complaints

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had in Cabinet concerning complaints made by patients about the NHS in Wales.

Peter Hain: The management of patient complaints in Wales is the responsibility of the Welsh Assembly Government. In my role as Secretary of State for Wales, I discuss issues relating to health service delivery regularly with the First Minister.
	I also regularly discuss matters relating to health services in Wales with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health. For example, in the current Session, my right hon. Friend has introduced two Bills, the Health Bill and the NHS Redress Bill, which contain provisions relating to Wales.
	I will continue to raise such matters with Cabinet colleagues when it is appropriate to do so.

NHS Finance

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had in Cabinet regarding budget deficits of Welsh (a) NHS trusts and (b) health boards.

Peter Hain: The financial management of NHS trusts is the responsibility of the Welsh Assembly Government. In my role as Secretary of State for Wales, I discuss issues relating to health service delivery regularly with the First Minister, including NHS trust finances.
	I also regularly discuss matters relating to health services in Wales with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Wales, recently met the Assembly Minister for Health and Social Services to discuss this particular issue.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Adult Learning

Jeff Ennis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she is taking to target the engagement of adult learners in former coalfield areas.

Phil Hope: Our priorities for adult learners in former coalfield areas are to help them gain skills for life through improving their literacy, language and numeracy skills; and a platform of skills for employability through a first full level 2 qualification. We are targeting the engagement of low skilled individuals wherever they live, through a range of measures in the Skills Strategy such as the Skills for Life provision and the Level 2 Entitlement.

Bullying

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the level of bullying in schools.

Beverley Hughes: Statistics on bullying across the country are not available and we think it would be unwise to make an estimate. While cases now appear to be reported more often, we have no hard evidence that bullying is increasing or that it is affecting more children. As children and young people become increasingly confident that bullying will not be tolerated, we would expect an increase in the number of incidents recorded.

Secondary Schools (Wellingborough)

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether the Government plan to fund the building of a new secondary school in the Wellingborough constituency.

Phil Hope: Planning for school buildings is undertaken locally by authorities. We are allocating Northamptonshire schools over £78 million of capital over the next three years, and expect this to be used for its priority needs. In the longer term, Building Schools for the Future (BSF) will support investment in all secondary schools in Northamptonshire, including new schools, where there is need. The Wellingborough area of Northamptonshire is prioritised in BSF towards the end of the programme.

Specialist Teachers

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she is taking to address shortages in specialist teachers.

Jacqui Smith: Since 2000, we have provided £6,000 bursaries to PGCE trainee teachers in a range of priority subjects. We have also provided them with a £4,000 Golden Hello". From September 2005 the bursary for mathematics and science trainees rose to £7,000, and from September 2006 it will increase to £9,000 for all priority subject trainees. Mathematics and science teachers will also be provided with an increased Golden Hello" of £5,000 (£2,500 for other priority subjects).

University Access

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress is being made on increasing the number of children from socially deprived backgrounds going to university.

Bill Rammell: In the past few years, we have seen a steady widening of participation in higher education. Performance indicators published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency show that the proportion of students from non-traditional backgrounds has increased across a range of measures. The proportion from low participation neighbourhoods, for example, rose from 12.1 per cent. to 13.9 per cent. between 1997/98 and 2003/04, the latest year for which figures are available.

University Access

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to require university places to be allocated after A-level grades have been awarded.

Bill Rammell: The Department is currently consulting on a number of proposals for changes to the higher education applications process, including the option of introducing a system of post-qualification applications" (PQA). The consultation offers two possible PQA models and welcomes the idea that new approaches may appear as a result of the discussion the consultation will stimulate. The consultation ends on 5 December after which there will be a period to analyse the responses.

Further Education

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the Foster review of further education.

Ruth Kelly: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Mid-Bedfordshire.

Local Education Authorities

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the likely effect on the roles of local education authorities of the proposals in the recent schools White Paper.

Ruth Kelly: The White Paper sets out an enhanced role for local authorities as the champions of parents and pupils, rather than the direct provider of school places. Local authorities will have new powers to commission school places and to intervene where provision is poor.

Local Education Authorities

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much funding each local education authority in England received in (a) 2005–06 and (b) 1996–97.

Jacqui Smith: Comparable figures are not available for 1996–97. The following table sets out the figures for 1997–98 and 2005–06. Total funding includes funding via education formula spending/standard spending assessment and revenue grants allocated at an LEA level. It excludes the pensions transfer to EPS and the Learning and Skills Council, and is in real terms.
	
		1997–98 and 2005–06 total funding by LEA, real terms -- £ million
		
			 LEA no. LEA 1997–98 2005–06 
		
		
			 202 Camden 96.9 133.6 
			 203 Greenwich 136.8 200.5 
			 204 Hackney 114.7 172.1 
			 205 Hammersmith and Fulham 68.3 103.9 
			 206 Islington 99 142.9 
			 207 Kensington and Chelsea 42.2 69.2 
			 208 Lambeth 118.8 178.2 
			 209 Lewisham 134.5 196.8 
			 210 Southwark 131.9 205.4 
			 211 Tower Hamlets 152.5 235.4 
			 212 Wandsworth 108.3 159.8 
			 213 Westminster 72.3 115 
			 301 Barking and Dagenham 87 143.1 
			 302 Barnet 144.4 211.9 
			 303 Bexley 110.5 164.9 
			 304 Brent 133.8 205.7 
			 305 Bromley 131.2 206.3 
			 306 Croydon 147.8 221.6 
			 307 Ealing 135.6 208.1 
			 308 Enfield 147 228.8 
			 309 Haringey 117.5 178.5 
			 310 Harrow 88.1 129.4 
			 311 Havering 105.9 152.8 
			 312 Hillingdon 114.9 183.2 
			 313 Hounslow 116.6 172.9 
			 314 Kingston upon Thames 57.6 91.2 
			 315 Merton 71.8 103.5 
			 316 Newham 163.7 257.7 
			 317 Redbridge 122.8 190.7 
			 318 Richmond upon Thames 57.1 83 
			 319 Sutton 83.4 134.2 
			 320 Waltham Forest 118 175.6 
			 330 Birmingham 542.6 811.6 
			 331 Coventry 145.6 210 
			 332 Dudley 124.6 192.7 
			 333 Sandwell 145 212 
			 334 Solihull 92.1 134.5 
			 335 Walsall 133.4 195.3 
			 336 Wolverhampton 120.5 175.1 
			 340 Knowsley 91.1 118.9 
			 341 Liverpool 256.4 338.3 
			 342 St. Helens 82.2 117.8 
			 343 Sefton 130.2 186 
			 344 Wirral 157.7 222.1 
			 350 Bolton 124.7 185.8 
			 351 Bury 75.5 110.8 
			 352 Manchester 223.1 309.9 
			 353 Oldham 116.7 171.2 
			 354 Rochdale 102.4 153.2 
			 355 Salford 101.4 140.8 
			 356 Stockport 110.9 155.3 
			 357 Tameside 101.2 145.2 
			 358 Trafford 96.2 137.7 
			 359 Wigan 135 191.5 
			 370 Barnsley 94 137 
			 371 Doncaster 145.6 204.1 
			 372 Rotherham 125.3 184.7 
			 373 Sheffield 207.5 313.2 
			 380 Bradford 255.4 370.8 
			 381 Calderdale 94.1 142.7 
			 382 Kirklees 176.2 260.7 
			 383 Leeds 312.9 450.4 
			 384 Wakefield 137.9 202.7 
			 390 Gateshead 83 120.8 
			 391 Newcastle upon Tyne 124.3 165.9 
			 392 North Tyneside 84 121.1 
			 393 South Tyneside 73.4 102 
			 394 Sunderland 139.5 188.2 
			 800 Bath and North East Somerset 66.1 98.8 
			 801 Bristol, City of 144.8 204 
			 802 North Somerset 73 111 
			 803 South Gloucestershire 98 152.7 
			 805 Hartlepool 45.1 67 
			 806 Middlesbrough 74.3 90.3 
			 807 Redcar and Cleveland 71.5 97.6 
			 808 Stockton-on-Tees 87.8 124 
			 810 Kingston upon Hull, City of 124.7 168.9 
			 811 East Riding of Yorkshire 127.1 194.4 
			 812 North East Lincolnshire 78.9 107.6 
			 813 North Lincolnshire 69.3 99.4 
			 815 North Yorkshire 229.9 349.1 
			 816 York 64.4 91.8 
			 820 Bedfordshire 174 258.3 
			 821 Luton 95.9 141.1 
			 825 Buckinghamshire 209.3 314.7 
			 826 Milton Keynes 102.3 156.7 
			 830 Derbyshire 290.2 442.2 
			 831 Derby 103.1 155.2 
			 835 Dorset 143 219.9 
			 836 Poole 54 74.8 
			 837 Bournemouth 60.4 82.4 
			 840 Durham 219.5 311.1 
			 841 Darlington 42.2 62.7 
			 845 East Sussex 184.5 278 
			 846 Brighton and Hove 87.7 127.2 
			 850 Hampshire 475.4 685.2 
			 851 Portsmouth 76.5 105.5 
			 852 Southampton 91.2 125.5 
			 855 Leicestershire 244 366 
			 856 Leicester 148.1 206.3 
			 857 Rutland 13 20 
			 860 Staffordshire 343.1 486.9 
			 861 Stoke-on-Trent 107.2 154.5 
			 865 Wiltshire 168.8 263.3 
			 866 Swindon 77 113.5 
			 867 Bracknell Forest 45 63.5 
			 868 Windsor and Maidenhead 54.9 82.7 
			 869 West Berkshire 64.3 104.1 
			 870 Reading 50.3 75.2 
			 871 Slough 61.2 95.7 
			 872 Wokingham 62.5 95.7 
			 873 Cambridgeshire 202.7 309.8 
			 874 Peterborough 86.7 127.1 
			 875 Cheshire 283 409.3 
			 876 Halton 65.2 86.7 
			 877 Warrington 83.7 119.9 
			 878 Devon 257.4 389 
			 879 Plymouth 118.1 160.9 
			 880 Torbay 52.8 77.1 
			 881 Essex 556.9 833.5 
			 882 Southend-on-Sea 72.5 115.3 
			 883 Thurrock 63.3 97.7 
			 884 Herefordshire 64.7 98.8 
			 885 Worcestershire 217 309.9 
			 886 Kent 585.2 895.1 
			 887 Medway 126.9 180.8 
			 888 Lancashire 497.5 705.8 
			 889 Blackburn with Darwen 76.7 113.1 
			 890 Blackpool 54.5 89.2 
			 891 Nottinghamshire 308.8 452.1 
			 892 Nottingham 137.7 175.8 
			 893 Shropshire 108.6 106.4 
			 894 Telford and Wrekin 70.4 160.4 
			 908 Cornwall 199.6 293 
			 909 Cumbria 204.7 308.8 
			 916 Gloucestershire 227.5 343.2 
			 919 Hertfordshire 474.7 693 
			 921 Isle of Wight 56.6 84.2 
			 925 Lincolnshire 262 419.8 
			 926 Norfolk 306.2 457.5 
			 928 Northamptonshire 273.1 408.4 
			 929 Northumberland 140.6 203.2 
			 931 Oxfordshire 237 346.9 
			 933 Somerset 185.2 282.1 
			 935 Suffolk 270.3 391.5 
			 936 Surrey 380.1 573.7 
			 937 Warwickshire 198.7 300.9 
			 938 West Sussex 289.9 426.4 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Price base: real terms at 2004–05 prices, based on GDP deflators as at 28 September 2005.
	2.Figures reflect relevant sub-blocks of education SSA/EPS settlements and exclude the pensions transfer to EPS and LSC.
	3.Total funding also includes all revenue grants in DfES departmental expenditure limits relevant to pupils aged 3–19 and exclude education maintenance allowances (EMAs) and grants not allocated at LEA level.
	4.Where responsibility for funding a school has transferred from an LEA, related funding no longer appears in the series.
	5.Rounding: figures are rounded to the nearest £0.1 million.
	6.Status: 2005–06 figures are provisional as some grants have not yet been finalised/audited.
	7.1997–98 figures for LEAs subject to local government re-organisation in that year have been estimated, pro-rata to their post LGR figures.

Education Maintenance Allowance

Laura Moffatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many young people in (a) Crawley constituency and (b) England have been granted an education maintenance allowance.

Maria Eagle: By the end of October 2005 3,710 young people in the West Sussex local education authority area, and 327,500 in England had received one or more EMA payment.

Adult Education

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what Government funding for adult education courses has been in each of the last five years for which records are available, broken down by local authority.

Phil Hope: The Department allocates funds for education and training in the post-16 learning and skills sector, including adult education, to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). The LSC was established in 2001 bringing the planning and funding of post-16 education together under one body.
	In 2001–02 the Learning and Skills Council spent £2,236 million on adult programmes including FE, Work Based Learning, Adult and Community Learning and other programmes. This increased to £2,427 million in 2002–03 and to £2,866 million in 2003–04. These figures are available in the LSC's published accounts. Figures for adult education for the years prior to 2001 are not comparable as the budget was split between a range of different organisations. The Departmental Annual Report sets out total expenditure on Further Education, Adult Training and Skills and Lifelong Learning for this period.
	My Department does not hold funding figures for adult education at the local level. As the allocation of funding in local areas relates to the LSC's operational responsibilities, the LSC's Chief Executive, Mark Haysom, has written to the hon. Member with the information requested. A copy of his reply has been placed in the Library.
	Letter from Mark Haysom to Dr. Vincent Cable, dated 4 November 2005
	I write in response to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, referred to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) by Phil Hope, regarding funding for adult education courses in the last five years.
	Unfortunately the LSC does not hold this information broken down by local authority. However, we are able to provide the information you requested broken down by local LSC area for each of the years since the inception of the LSC, in 2001.
	I attached 2 spreadsheets, the first listing the funding allocations as above, the second explaining the programme funding contained within the Other" column for each year.
	
		Expenditure on Adult Education Programmes: Financial Year 2001–02
		
			 LSC LSC name ACL FE WBL Other Total 
		
		
			 EE060 Norfolk 1,491,252 17,564,780 1,836,697 1,411,227 22,303,956 
			 EE070 Cambridgeshire 1,525,848 17,509,709 1,518,644 1,737,492 22,291,693 
			 EE080 Suffolk 1,884,708 11,974,544 1,996,544 1,395,186 17,250,982 
			 EE090 Bedfordshire and Luton 1,239,216 17,774,462 859,639 1,211,184 21,084,501 
			 EE100 Hertfordshire 1,853,772 23,140,444 1,851,169 2,048,265 28,893,650 
			 EE110 Essex 5,396,508 26,951,950 3,144,294 2,837,725 38,330,477 
			 EE900 East England Regional Office 0 0 0 0 0 
			 EM010 Derbyshire 4,726,184 34,043,535 2,253,311 2,726,306 43,749,336 
			 EM020 Nottinghamshire 2,286,396 55,236,902 3,413,353 2,927,240 63,863,891 
			 EM030 Lincolnshire and Rutland 1,743,888 17,773,016 1,867,103 1,491,945 22,875,951 
			 EM040 Leicestershire 4,780,836 35,549,033 1,350,876 2,445,267 44,126,012 
			 EM050 Northamptonshire 1,488,048 14,579,674 1,847,237 1,256,980 19,171,939 
			 EM900 East Midlands Regional Office 0 0 0 0 0 
			 GL120 London—North 3,461,880 53,794,704 1,569,344 3,300,310 62,126,238 
			 GL130 London—West 4,842,252 59,113,594 1,986,021 4,048,885 69,990,752 
			 GL140 London—Central 9,125,808 110,550,419 2,756,463 8,265,431 130,698,121 
			 GL150 London—East 11,091,060 97,639,299 3,121,406 6,887,834 118,739,599 
			 GL160 London—South 5,726,880 39,341,618 2,552,931 2,828,792 50,450,221 
			 GL900 Greater London Regional Office 0 0 0 0 0 
			 NE170 Northumberland 167,043 5,980,322 881,131 533,884 7,562,380 
			 NE180 Tyne & Wear 3,149,412 53,547,415 3,600,054 3,215,160 63,512,041 
			 NE190 County Durham 1,495,452 16,434,382 1,050,307 1,159,926 20,140,067 
			 NE200 Tees Valley 2,782,788 26,526,548 2,625,859 2,568,828 34,504,023 
			 NE900 North East Regional Office 0 0 0 0 0 
			 NW210 Cumbria 1,023,492 13,376,794 1,403,428 1,069,267 16,872,982 
			 NW220 Lancashire 6,475,500 56,873,632 3,603,830 3,699,169 70,652,132 
			 NW230 Greater Merseyside 5,343,300 57,133,442 5,987,930 4,122,187 72,586,860 
			 NW240 Greater Manchester 9,651,933 98,995,154 7,899,402 8,838,023 125,384,512 
			 NW250 Cheshire and Warrington 1,508,292 23,207,549 2,864,273 1,999,872 29,579,987 
			 NW900 North West Regional Office 0 0 0 0 0 
			 SE260 Milton Keynes, Oxon and Bucks 4,158,048 29,746,359 3,299,050 3,262,785 40,466,242 
			 SE270 Berkshire 2,588,940 23,642,736 2,405,102 2,028,302 30,665,080 
			 SE280 Hampshire and Isle of Wight 1,618,716 50,265,847 3,441,615 3,698,675 59,024,853 
			 SE290 Surrey 2,832,696 19,134,168 782,527 1,752,752 24,502,143 
			 SE300 Sussex 3,218,568 33,310,850 2,831,186 2,832,082 42,192,686 
			 SE310 Kent and Medway 6,036,432 35,109,395 3,332,919 2,935,675 47,414,421 
			 SE900 South East Regional Office 0 0 0 0 0 
			 SW320 Devon and Cornwall 4,598,964 45,709,961 4,716,282 3,292,954 58,318,162 
			 SW330 Somerset 2,780,688 15,981,793 822,292 2,182,567 21,767,339 
			 SW340 Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole 1,336,668 18,529,074 2,031,351 1,449,215 23,346,309 
			 SW350 West of England 1,339,944 39,204,702 1,813,922 2,320,398 44,678,967 
			 SW360 Wiltshire and Swindon 468,388 20,413,021 1,131,243 1,469,035 23,481,687 
			 SW370 Gloucestershire 1,891,656 13,949,740 1,340,082 1,100,466 18,281,944 
			 SW900 South West Regional Office 0 0 0 0 0 
			 WM380 Shropshire 486,120 12,941,103 3,093,089 880,770 17,401,082 
			 WM390 Staffordshire 2,161,200 33,609,202 2,660,575 2,364,946 40,795,923 
			 WM400 Black Country 3,745,591 52,371,633 3,147,419 3,943,365 63,208,008 
			 WM410 Birmingham and Solihull 4,342,824 78,758,818 3,111,389 9,490,332 95,703,363 
			 WM420 Herefordshire and Worcestershire 399,528 21,069,563 1,812,696 1,790,840 25,072,627 
			 WM430 Coventry and Warwickshire 3,948,360 36,668,744 2,084,865 2,804,470 45,506,438 
			 WM900 West Midlands Regional Office 0 0 0 0 0 
			 YH440 North Yorkshire 2,175,720 20,179,281 1,703,836 1,455,046 25,513,883 
			 YH450 West Yorkshire 4,361,988 67,440,906 4,405,869 5,806,952 82,015,716 
			 YH460 South Yorkshire 1,959,144 46,502,082 3,416,988 3,590,644 55,468,858 
			 YH470 Humberside 2,718,720 30,983,254 2,117,560 1,860,028 37,679,562 
			 YH900 Yorkshire Regional Office 0 0 0 0 0 
			 AA* National Office 0 59,160,075 34,864,843 2,295,860 96,320,778 
			 Total  153,430,650 1,769,295,232 154,207,949 138,634,545 2,235,568,877 
		
	
	Key:
	ACL—Adult Community Learning.
	FE—FE Participation.
	WBL—Work Based Learning (19+ Apprenticeships).
	Other—Other Adult Programmes.
	
		2001–02
		
			 PQ Cat L2 Description 
		
		
			 Other Adult Discretionary Student Support 
			  Adult Information Advice and Guidance 
			  FE Summer Schools 
			  Local Workforce Development 
			  MG Rover Inward Investment 
			  Neighbour Learning in Deprived 
			  New Entrepreneur Scholarships 
		
	
	
		2002–03
		
			 PQ Cat L2 Description 
		
		
			 Other Adult Discretionary Student Support 
			  Adult Ethnic Minority Achievement Grant 
			  Adult Information Advice and Guidance 
			  Bite Size Courses 
			  Family Learning and Adult Learning Promotion 
			  Family Literacy and Numeracy 
			  FE (New) Childcare Places 
			  FE Summer Schools 
			  Health and Safety Booklets 
			  Improving the Training Market 
			  Local Workforce Development 
			  Local Workforce Development—PBR Pilots 
			  MG Rover Inward Investment/BMW Hams Hall 
			  National Promotions 
			  Neighbour Learning in Deprived 
			  New Entrepreneur Scholarships 
			  Promoting Vocational Qualifications 
			  Skill and View 
			  Skills Intelligence Network 
		
	
	
		2003–04
		
			 PQ Cat L2 Description 
		
		
			 Other Adult Discretionary Student Support 
			  Adult Ethnic Minority Achievement Grant 
			  Adult Information Advice and Guidance 
			  Adult Learning Grant—Marketing 
			  Bite Size Courses 
			  Family Learning and Adult Learning Promotion 
			  Family Literacy and Numeracy 
			  FE (New) Childcare Places 
			  FE Summer Schools 
			  Health and Safety Booklets 
			  Improving the Training Market 
			  Local Workforce Development 
			  Employer Training Pilots 
			  MG Rover Inward Investment/BMW Hams Hall 
			  National Promotions 
			  Neighbour Learning in Deprived 
			  New Entrepreneur Scholarships 
			  Promoting Vocational Qualifications 
			  Skill and View 
			  Skills Intelligence Network 
			  Union Learning Fund 
			  Workforce Development—IIP Small Firms Initiative 
		
	
	
		2004–05
		
			 PQ Cat L2 Description 
		
		
			 Other Adult Discretionary Student Support 
			  Adult Ethnic Minority Achievement Grant 
			  Adult Information Advice and Guidance 
			  Adult Learning Grant—Marketing 
			  Adult Policy Development 
			  Adult Skills Pilot 
			  Basic Skills 
			  Bite Size Courses 
			  Equality and Diversity Support 
			  ESF Match Funding 
			  Family Learning and Adult Learning Promotion 
			  Family Literacy and Numeracy 
			  FE (New) Childcare Places 
			  FE Summer Schools 
			  Footballers Programme 
			  Health and Safety Booklets 
			  Improving the Training Market 
			  Local Workforce Development 
			  Employer Training Pilots 
			  MG Rover Inward Investment/BMW Hams Hall 
			  National Promotions 
			  National Rates Advisory Group 
			  NCS Delivery 
			  NCS Employer Pilots 
			  Neighbour Learning in Deprived 
			  New Entrepreneur Scholarships 
			  New Technology Institutes 
			  NIACE Memo of Understanding 
			  Offenders in the Community 
			  Promoting Vocational Qualifications 
			  Regional Skills Funds 
			  Research 
			  Skill and View 
			  Skills Intelligence Network 
			  TUC Course Materials 
			  Union Learning Fund 
			  Voluntary and Community Strategy 
			  Work Based Learning—Skills Task Force Rec 
			  Workforce Development—IIP Small Firms Initiative

Children's Trusts (Hemel Hempstead)

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children's trusts there are in (a) Hemel Hempstead constituency and (b) Hertfordshire.

Beverley Hughes: Hertfordshire is integrating services for children and young people through children's trust arrangements that will cover the entire county. Therefore there is one children's trust that covers Hertfordshire. The local authority was chosen as a pathfinder children's trust authority and is testing provider arrangements in the Stevenage area in order to identify good practice that will influence wider implementation.

Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the operation of section 8 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970.

Maria Eagle: Section 8 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 refers to the design of, and access to, the buildings of educational institutions. Although this Act is still in force, Section 8 has since been superseded by other legislation including the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 (SENDA), The Education (School Premises) Regulations 1999 and the Building Regulations 2000. The provisions in these later Acts and Regulations are more comprehensive than those in Section 8 of the 1970 Act.
	Schools now have a planning duty under Part 4 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to prepare accessibility plans for increasing over time the accessibility of schools for disabled pupils and prospective pupils. This planning duty covers: improving access to the curriculum, the physical environment of schools and provision of written materials in alternative formats, and will lead to access improvements that will have a positive impact on all aspects of school life.
	The Learning and Skills Council monitor the extent to which further education college premises are accessible to disabled learners and, since SENDA was introduced in 2001, it has approved funding to enable colleges to undertake adaptations that will help them comply with the Act. So far over £160 million has been made available. All colleges have made, or are making, adaptations or have plans in hand. Higher education institutions are also subject to the legislation and regulations mentioned above (apart from the School Premises Regulations), but as autonomous organisations are responsible for ensuring that they comply.

Education (Tamworth)

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children in Tamworth constituency attended nursery in each of the past 10 years; and how many have taken up free nursery places since the policy was introduced.

Beverley Hughes: All four-year-olds have been entitled to a free early education place since 1998 and from April 2004 this entitlement was extended to all three-year-olds. The free entitlement consists of a minimum of five two and a half hour sessions per week for 33 weeks of the year for six terms before statutory school age, which is the term following their fifth birthday.
	Some local authorities may additionally offer subsidised child care places but this information is not collected centrally.
	Figures for January 2005 show that all four-year-old children receive some form of free entitlement. The figure for three-years-olds is 96 per cent. This covers all maintained, private, voluntary and independent providers and represents 535,100 three- year-olds and 568,300 four-year olds.
	The available information on the number of free nursery education places taken up by three and four-year-olds in Tamworth parliamentary constituency area and Staffordshire local authority is shown in the tables.
	For 2005, information for private and voluntary providers is available for Staffordshire but not currently available for Tamworth constituency.
	The latest figures on early education places for three and four-year-olds in England were published in Statistical First Release 43/2005 Provision for children under five years of age in England—January 2005 (final)" in September, which is available on my Department's website www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/.
	
		Number of free nursery education places(1)taken up by three and four-year-oldsParliamentary constituency: TamworthPosition in January each year
		
			  Three-year-olds Four-year-olds 
			  Maintained nursery and primary schools(2) Other maintained and private, voluntary and independent providers(3) Maintained nursery and primary schools(4) Other maintained and private, voluntary and independent providers(5) 
		
		
			 2004 260 610 900 120 
			 2005 310 n/a 900 n/a 
		
	
	n/a = Not available
	1Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 or 100 as appropriate.
	(1)Headcount of children aged three at 31 December in the previous calendar year from the Annual Schools' Census.
	(2)Part-time equivalent number of children aged three at 31 December in the previous calendar year from the Early Years Census and the Annual Schools' Census.
	(3)Headcount of children aged four at 31 December in the previous calendar year from the Annual Schools' Census.
	(4)Part-time equivalent number of children aged four at 31 December in the previous calendar year from the Early Years Census and the Annual Schools' Census.
	
		Number of free nursery education places(5)taken up by three and four-year-oldsLocal authority: StaffordshirePosition in January each year
		
			  Three-year-olds Four-year-olds 
			  Maintained nursery and primary schools(6) Other maintained and private, voluntary and independent providers Total 3- year-olds Maintained nursery and primary schools(7) Other maintained and private, voluntary and independent providers Total 4-year-olds 
		
		
			 1997 3,500 (8)— 3,500 (8)— (8)— (9)9,600 
			 1998 2,700 (8)— 2,700 (8)— (8)— (9)9,700 
			 1999 2,700 (8)— 2,700 (8)— (8)— (9)9,500 
			 2000 2,600 (10)0 2,600 (8)— (8)— (9)9,400 
			 2001 2,600 (10)440 3,000 (8)— (8)— (9)9,200 
			 2002 2,600 (10)1,700 4,200 8,400 (9)640 9,100 
			 2003 2,300 (10)3,500 5,800 8,500 (11)810 9,300 
			 2004 2,200 (12)4,500 6,700 7,900 (13)860 8,800 
			 2005 2,600 (12)4,100 6,700 7,500 (13)950 8,400 
		
	
	(5)Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 or 100 as appropriate.
	(6)Headcount of children aged three at 31 December in the previous calendar year from the Annual Schools' Census.
	(7)Headcount of children aged four at 31 December in the previous calendar year from the Annual Schools' Census.
	(8)Not available.
	(9)Part-time equivalent number of children aged four at 31 December in the previous calendar year from the Nursery Education Grant data collection exercise.
	(10)Part-time equivalent number of children aged three at 31 December in the previous calendar year from the Nursery Education Grant data collection exercise.
	(11)Part-time equivalent number of children aged four at 31 December in the previous calendar year from the Early Years Census supplementary data collection exercise and the Annual Schools' Census.
	(12)Part-time equivalent number of children aged three at 31 December in the previous calendar year from the Early Years Census and the Annual Schools' Census.
	(13)Part-time equivalent number of children aged four at 31 December in the previous calendar year from the Early Years Census and the Annual Schools' Census.
	Changes in pupil figures may arise from changes to the underlying population in the local authority area and other factors. However, my Department doesn't publish population figures for individual age cohorts at sub-national level because of the unreliability of the underlying population estimates. The Office for National Statistics publish sub-national population estimates in five-year age bands.

Education Act 1996

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the operation of sections (a) 403, (b) 404, (c) 405, (d) 406 and (e) 407 of the Education Act 1996.

Jacqui Smith: The Department issued Sex and Relationship Guidance" to head teachers and school governors in 2000. This outlines the requirement to have an up-to-date policy on sex and relationship education available to parents for inspection. The guidance reminds schools to teach children about the nature of marriage and its importance for family life. The guidance also outlines the right of parents to withdraw children from the non-statutory elements of sex education. We have explained the rights of parents in the SRE and Parents leaflet and on the DfES Parents Centre website. Ofsted in its survey Sex and Relationship Education in Schools" (2002) reported that over nine out of 10 schools have a sex and relationship education policy. Ofsted has also indicated that 0.04 per cent. of parents exercise the right to withdraw their children from sex education lessons.
	DfES offers guidance to school governors on political activities in schools through the Governors Guide to the Law".

Education White Paper

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures will be taken to address the underperformance of pupils from (a) black and (b) gypsy and traveller communities under the provisions of the White Paper Higher Standards, Better Schools for All.

Jacqui Smith: As outlined in the Schools White Paper, this Government is committed to ensuring that all pupils, regardless of their background, achieve their potential.
	We will focus on raising the attainment of black, and gypsy, roma and traveller pupils by putting in place targeted national programmes designed to provide advice, training, resources and challenge to schools with large numbers of underachieving pupils from these groups. These programmes will build on the test bed work that we have piloted through the Aiming High: Raising the Achievement of Ethnic Minority Pupils strategy.

Education White Paper

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether restrictions will be introduced to the freedom self-governing schools have to set their own admissions criteria under the provisions of the White Paper Higher Standards, 'Better Schools for All'.

Jacqui Smith: The existing regime which is designed to ensure a fair admission system, that is flexible enough to take account of local circumstances, will apply to trust schools in the same way as it does to other maintained schools. No trust school will be able to introduce any form of selection by ability and all will have to comply with the restrictions on selection by aptitude that apply to all maintained schools. Admission authorities for maintained schools must comply with admissions and equal opportunities legislation, and have regard to the School Admissions Code of Practice when setting their admission criteria. Other schools and local authorities can object to the Schools Adjudicator about any criteria that they consider are unfair or are not in line with the Code. Where the Adjudicator upholds an objection, his decision is binding.

Education White Paper

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the White Paper Higher Standards, Better Schools for All, what she expects the buildings of schools closed due to failure will be used for.

Jacqui Smith: It will be a local decision what use is made of the buildings of schools which close due to failure. Our expectation is that they will continue to be used for educational purposes where they are suitable. This could include replacement schools, additional schools for new providers, or resited schools. Local authorities may also consider other educational or community use where this will give value-for-money. Where a closed school is sold, we expect that the proceeds will be reinvested in other schools to improve educational provision and attainment in the area.

Education White Paper

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures will be taken under the White Paper Higher Standards, Better Schools for All, to encourage poorer parents to become more involved in their children's education.

Jacqui Smith: The Schools White Paper proposes a series of measures to support increased parental engagement in their child's learning and increased influence in the schools system as a whole, enabling parents to support their own child's achievement and promote system-wide improvement. We will ensure that new measures will reach all parents, particularly those who might not normally engage. Parents find it difficult to engage for many reasons, not just poverty or socio-economic factors.
	To enable parents to become more engaged in their child's learning, we will require schools to share progress on children's learning three times a year, rather than annually. We also recognise that some parents, including from poorer families, do not feel they have real choices available to them. We will improve the information available to parents, enabling them to make informed decisions when choosing a secondary school. Through the White Paper, we will provide choice advice, focused on those who need it most, to support parents to make the best choice for their child.

Education White Paper

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what safeguards will be put in place under the provisions of the White Paper Higher Standards, Better Schools for All", to prevent a significant number of large failing schools being closed in the same area.

Jacqui Smith: The proposals in the White Paper Higher Standards, Better Schools For All" strengthen the intervention powers available to local authorities to tackle failing schools.
	Authorities are expected to consider the appropriate solution for a failing school in the light of the circumstances of the school. Under the White Paper's proposals they are expected to consider closure where a failing school is making inadequate progress after 12 months.
	However, authorities will retain the responsibility to secure the provision of school places and to promote high standards. Where there is a need for a new school either to replace an existing closing school or to meet population growth, the LA will be able to hold a competition and invite promoters to bring forward proposals for a new school.

Further Education Spending

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the level of funding per pupil in further education has been in each year since 1997 in Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency.

Bill Rammell: The Department allocates funds for education and training in the post-16 learning and skills sector, to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). The LSC was established in 2001 bringing the planning and funding of post-16 education together under one body.
	Since 1997 government funding for further education has increased by around £2.5 Billion—equivalent to around 48 per cent. in real terms. Between 1997 and 2005 funding on participation per full-time equivalent student has increased by 49 per cent. in cash terms and 23 per cent. in real terms
	My Department does not hold figures on what the level of funding per pupil in further education has been in each year since 1997 in Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency. As the allocation of funding in local areas relates to the LSC's operational responsibilities, the LSC's Chief Executive, Mark Haysom, has written to the hon. Member with the information requested. A copy of his reply has been placed in the Library.
	Letter from Mark Haysom to Tim Farron, dated 26 October 2005
	As you will be aware Bill Rammell, in the written reply he gave you on 17 October to your Parliamentary Question, indicated that he would ask me to write to you.
	The LSC came into being on 1 April 2001 and the information you have asked for is, therefore, only available for 2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06. The figures for 16–18 year olds (average rate per full-time equivalent) are shown below for Kendal College, the only further education college in your constituency, and distinguishes between the Council's allocation and the College's final claim (except for 2005/06 which, of course, is not yet known).
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2002/03  
			 Allocation 2,936 
			 Final claim 3,096 
			   
			 2003/04  
			 Allocation 3,510 
			 Final claim 3,678 
			   
			 2004/05  
			 Allocation 3,800 
			 Final claim 3,728 
			   
			 2005/06  
			 Allocation 4,103 
		
	
	You may be aware that a recent independent report by the Learning and Skills Development Agency identified a number of technical anomalies" where the application of the LSC's methodology differs between the school and further education sectors. The report highlighted these anomalies as contributing to the difference in the funding for 16–18 year old students in school sixth forms and those in sixth form and FE colleges.
	The statement on schools' funding made in July 2005 by Jacqui Smith, the Schools Minister, included a programme of work to address the anomalies between school sixth form and college funding. This will be taken forward as part of the LSC's agenda for change programme.
	I hope you find the above helpful. Do not hesitate to contact our local Executive Director, Mick Parley, who I know you have met, if you would like any more detailed information.

Information and Communication Technology

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what information and communication technology courses are available for teachers; and what funding is available for such courses.

Jacqui Smith: A wide variety of approved courses, both in a formal training environment and distance learning, are available to teachers covering all aspects of the use of ICT in schools. The training is provided by a national network of over 800 ICT training providers, managed by the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta), and listed within the ICT Support Network Directory (http://www.becta.org.uk/ictsn/).
	£120 million funding has been provided to schools through the Standards Fund Grant 31a across 2004–05 and 2005–06 for the Hands on Support (HOS) programme. This funding may be used to buy-in expertise from private training or to provide teachers with an opportunity to share and spread good practice in using ICT with fellow practitioners. Schools have the discretion to decide exactly how much of their HOS allocation is spent on ICT training. Funding will continue in 2006–07 as part of Grant 101-Schools Development Grant.

Looked-after Children

Neil Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children per 10,000 children are looked after by local authorities in the (a) Inner London local authorities, (b) Outer London local authorities, (c) English metropolitan authorities outside London, (d) Wigan metropolitan borough council area, (e) Salford city council area, (f) Knowsley metropolitan borough council area, (g) South Tyneside council area, (h) Leeds city council area and (i)Wolverhampton city council area.

Beverley Hughes: The information requested may be found in Table 1 of Children looked after by local authorities, Year Ending 31 March 2004, Volume 2: Local Authority Tables". This is available from the Department's website at:
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/VOL/v000569/vweb01–2005_2.pdf

Schools

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she expects to publish the results of the consultation on the draft School Admissions Code of Practice.

Jacqui Smith: We expect to be able to publish the results of the exercise on the Department's consultation website within three months of the end of consultation as recommended by the Cabinet Office.

Schools

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) primary and (b) secondary schools have been closed due to falling rolls in (i) England and (ii) the Tees Valley in each year since 1997.

Jacqui Smith: The Department does not hold information on the number of primary and secondary schools in England that have closed because of falling rolls. Nor do we hold information for the Tees Valley as data is gathered by local authority area.
	A total of 2,200 schools have closed in the last eight years due to amalgamation, change in religious character, authority ceasing to maintain, fresh start, the opening of an academy and to allow for a new establishment. The numbers of school closures in England, broken down by (a) local education authority and (b) type of school during the calendar years 1997 to 2005 are shown in the table which was placed in the House Library as part of the written answer to question 19695 on 19 October 2005. The figures shown in the table include mainstream schools maintained by local authorities but exclude special schools and independent schools.

Schools

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) primary and (b) secondary schools have applied to expand since the guidance to the decision-makers that there should be a presumption in favour of expansion was promulgated.

Jacqui Smith: Since the guidance to decision makers was issued in June 2003, the governing bodies of 22 primary and 26 secondary schools have published statutory proposals to expand their schools. In addition to this, local authorities published proposals to expand 50 primary and 26 secondary schools.
	These figures include all proposed school expansions including those to meet population growth, as part of a local reorganisation to meet pupils by the closing of a neighbouring school and to meet parental demand. The presumption to approve expansion proposals, included in guidance issued to decision makers, applies to proposals in respect of successful and popular schools.

Schools

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether the money previously delivered to secondary schools via the Leadership Incentive Grant will be made available to secondary schools via other budgetary mechanisms; and whether it is included in the Government's guarantee of a 4 per cent. annual funding increase.

Jacqui Smith: The Leadership Incentive Grant, introduced in April 2003, is a three-year programme aimed at giving extra help to those secondary schools in the most challenging circumstances to ensure that they have the leadership and the quality of teaching and earning they need to raise the achievement of all their pupils, particularly through developing collaboration with other schools and sharing good practice. All schools and authorities were informed at the outset that the grant would end in March 2006. However, schools with the highest level of relative deprivation and/or lowest attainment will continue to receive additional support in the future. This support will be in addition to the minimum funding guarantee for schools. The details of the additional support that will be provided in the next financial year, and the level of the minimum funding guarantee, will be announced in due course.

Schools

Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much additional funding has been given to (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools in South Swindon constituency in addition to their standard spending assessment, in each year since 1997.

Jacqui Smith: The following table sets out funding for Swindon local education authority for each year from 1997–98 to 2005–06. Total funding includes funding via education formula spending/standard spending assessment and revenue and capital grants allocated at an LEA level. It includes the pensions transfer to EFS and the Learning and Skills Council from 2003–04, and is in cash terms.
	It is not possible to break down the funding for primary schools and secondary schools in South Swindon constituency.
	
		SSA/EFS, grants and total funding (£ million) in Swindon (cash terms)
		
			  1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 
		
		
			 SSA/EFS 62.8 67.8 73.3 77.3 80 82.1 92.8 97.3 103.2 
			 Revenue Grants 2.8 2.0 3.1 6.9 9.8 12.5 12.3 13.5 15.6 
			 Capital Grants 1.5 3.0 5.2 6.1 4.3 15.2 80.2 11.5 9.2 
			 Total funding 67.1 72.8 81.6 90.3 94.1 109.8 185.3 122.3 128 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Price Base: Cash
	Figures reflect relevant sub-blocks of education SSA/EFS settlements. Figures from 2003–04 include the pensions transfer to EFS and LSC, the figures prior to 2003–04 have not been adjusted.
	Total funding also includes all revenue grants in DfES departmental expenditure limits relevant to pupils aged 3–19 and exclude education maintenance allowances (EMAs) and grants not allocated at LEA level.
	Where responsibility for funding a school has transferred from an LEA, related funding no longer appears in the series.
	2.Capital Grants: 2002–03 includes £7.5 million for basic need additional provision; 2003–04 includes £9.8 million for basic need additional provision and a PFI allocation of £62.8 million; 2004–05 includes £1.6 million targeted capital fund; 2005–06 includes £2.4 million targeted capital fund.
	3.Rounding: Figures are rounded to the nearest £0.1 million.
	4.Status: 2003–04 to 2005–06 figures are provisional as some grants have not yet been finalised/audited.

Schools

Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much has been allocated for (a) capital repairs and (b) new buildings in (i) primary and (ii) secondary schools in the South Swindon area in each year since 1997.

Jacqui Smith: Capital allocations are recorded on a local authority basis, and the following table lists the allocations to Swindon borough council and schools in its area. Local authorities determine which proportion of their formulaic capital allocations shall be spent on capital repairs or new buildings, also on primary or secondary schools. Accordingly, no record is held centrally of these four categories.
	
		
			  £000 
		
		
			 1997–98 1,450 
			 1998–99 3,049 
			 1999–2000 5,208 
			 2000–01 6,056 
			 2001–02 4,289 
			 2002–03 15,164 
			 2003–04 80,240 
			 2004–05 11,594 
			 2005–06 9,182 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.The large increase is due to a rise in Basic Need funding.
	2.The large amount of funding this year is due to a £62.3 million Private Finance Initiative, and a high Basic Need allocation.
	Further information on funding can be found on the website: www.teachernet.gov.uk under the heading, Introduction to Capital Funding for School Buildings".

Schools

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many surplus places there were in (a) primary, (b) middle and (c) secondary schools in each local authority area in (i) 2000 and (ii)2005; how many there are forecast to be in each year from 2006 to 2010; and on what (A) basis and (B)assumptions those forecasts were made.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested has been placed in the House Libraries.

Schools

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how the Government will encourage primary and secondary schools to become self-governing and to acquire trust status as set out in the White Paper.

Jacqui Smith: The White Paper makes clear that it will be for the governing bodies of individual schools to decide whether to become self-governing foundation schools and to acquire trusts, taking account of the views of parents and other stakeholders. The Government have already introduced a fast-track route for community and voluntary controlled secondary schools to acquire self-governing foundation status and have consulted on extending this to primary schools. Schools wishing to acquire trusts will follow similar procedures, with added safeguards where parents have concerns about the acquisition of a particular trust. In particular, the local authority will be able to refer a school's proposals to acquire a trust to the Schools adjudicator for determination, if it is clear that the school has failed to take proper account of the views of a majority of parents or if there are serious concerns about the impact of the proposals on school standards. The White Paper envisages the appointment of a Schools commissioner who will support the development of trust schools and work with potential trusts.

Schools

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how her Department plans to hold trust school governing bodies to financial account under her Education White Paper proposals.

Jacqui Smith: Trust schools will be funded on exactly the same basis as other maintained schools.
	They will be subject to the same financial controls, including audit arrangements, as apply currently to maintained schools through each local authority's statutory Scheme for Financing Schools.

Schools

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she intends to take to prevent a trust school which has been set up as a charity from changing its charitable objects once it is established.

Jacqui Smith: The Government intend to prescribe by regulations certain charitable objects for all trusts. Trusts will be unable to change these objects. Furthermore, trusts may have additional charitable objects to those prescribed. Trusts will only be able to change such additional objects with the consent of the Charity Commission.

Sure Start Plus

Edward Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teenage pregnancies occurred in each of the Sure Start Plus scheme pilot areas in (a) 1997 and (b) 2005.

Beverley Hughes: Details of under-18 conception numbers and rates for 1997 and 2003 (the latest year for which data are available), for each local authority involved in the Sure Start Plus pilots, are provided in the following table.
	
		
			  Number Rate Percentage 
			 Local authorities within Sure Start Plus areas 1997 2003 1997 2003 change in rate 
		
		
			 Bradford MCD 469 527 51.8 45.2 -12.6 
			 Hackney LB and City of London 276 279 79.6 70.0 -12.1 
			 Kingston upon Hull UA 363 323 72.2 69.2 -4.1 
			 Leeds MCD 566 709 56.9 41.1 -27.8 
			 Leicester UA 335 304 54.3 56.4 3.8 
			 Liverpool MCD 390 468 55.3 42.9 -22.5 
			 Manchester MCD 565 510 57.7 65.9 14.3 
			 Nottingham UA 375 347 70.7 73.5 4.0 
			 Plymouth UA 204 232 51.4 43.1 -16.2 
			 Rochdale MCD 235 231 54.2 52.4 -3.2 
			 Sandwell MCD 376 383 70.5 65.6 -7.0 
			 Sheffield MCD 472 451 52.9 53.2 0.6 
			 Lambeth LB 429 352 85.7 101.5 18.4 
			 Barnsley MCD 243 243 64.6 58.0 -10.3 
			 Stoke-on-Trent UA 284 285 65.3 61.5 -5.8 
			 Middlesbrough UA 190 217 72.7 57.9 -20.4 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne MCD 268 313 64.3 55.3 -14.0 
			 Wakefield MCD 306 333 58.5 48.1 -17.8 
			 Walsall MCD 311 327 67.0 59.6 -11.1 
			 Wolverhampton MCD 271 274 58.7 56.4 -3.9 
			 North Tyneside MCD 189 210 58.1 52.0 -10.4 
			 South Tyneside MCD 175 193 65.9 55.0 -16.5 
			 Gateshead MCD 175 202 56.4 48.6 -13.9 
			 Sunderland MCD 362 369 65.1 62.8 -3.6 
			 Southwark LB 351 284 78.6 88.0 11.9 
			 Lewisham LB 333 302 79.0 74.0 -6.3 
			 Rotherham MCD 255 266 54.4 51.5 -5.3 
			 Doncaster MCD 411 375 68.3 68.4 0.1 
			 Salford MCD 238 258 64.1 58.2 -9.2 
			 Tower Hamlets LB 174 185 49.3 43.2 -12.4 
			 Newham LB 305 295 62.2 53.4 -14.2 
			 Redcar and Cleveland DA 143 162 55.7 48.1 -13.8 
			 Stockton-on-Tees UA 197 191 51.1 51.3 0.4 
			 Hartlepool UA 133 134 74.8 68.7 -8.1 
			 St. Helens MCD 189 181 53.9 53.0 -1.6 
		
	
	Note:
	Rates are per 1,000 female population aged 15–17.
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics and Teenage Pregnancy Unit

Sure Start Plus

Edward Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teenagers under the age of 18 years have been involved with the Sure Start Plus scheme since 2001; and how many of these live in (a) Wakefield district and (b) Normanton constituency.

Beverley Hughes: The data requested are not available at a national level. However, based on a survey carried out during a six month period in 2001, a team at the Institute of Education estimated that around 53 per cent. of young women conceiving during that period were supported by the pilot programmes (based on monitoring returns from 27 out of 35 programmes). Take-up of the programme is likely to have increased since 2001, which was the first year of the pilot.
	Management information from Wakefield Sure Start Plus programme shows that just under half of young women whose conceptions resulted in a birth were supported by the programme in 2003. No information is available for the numbers of young women resident in Normanton constituency who were supported through the programme.

Teachers

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research underlies the required ratio of (a) 1:8 teachers to children in local community play groups and (b) 1:13 teachers to children in local school nursery classes; and if she will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: The ratio of one adult to eight children for three to five-year-olds in playgroups was included in guidance issued by the Department of Health in 1991, and subsequently set in the national standards for under eights day care and childminding in 2001 following consultation. The ratio of one qualified teacher to 13 children was first published in a Department for Education and Science circular in 1973 but superseded in 1991 by the 1991 Department of Health guidance which allowed for one1 qualified teacher and one qualified nursery assistant to 26 children for nursery classes.
	The Effective Provision of Pre-School Education (EPPE) research has found that a key factor contributing to better intellectual and social behavioural outcomes is having a good proportion of trained qualified teacher status teachers working directly with children alongside other staff. The research shows quality was higher overall in integrated early education and child care settings, nursery schools and nursery classes.

Teenage Pregnancy

Edward Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much funding the Government have spent on schemes to lower the rate of teenage pregnancy in (a) Wakefield district and (b) Normanton constituency in each year since 1997; and what expenditure is planned for future financial years.

Beverley Hughes: Details of the grant paid to Wakefield are provided in the table below. Teenage pregnancy funding was available from 1999/2000 onwards. No payments were made prior to this. Funding for the Sure Start Plus pilot is separately identified. We cannot separately identify the proportion of the grant spent in Normanton constituency.
	
		£000
		
			  Local implementation Sure Start Plus 
		
		
			 1999/2000(14) 50 — 
			 2000/01(14) 30 — 
			 2001/02(14) 180 125 
			 2002/03(15) 180 125 
			 2003/04(15) 239 125 
			 2004/05(15) 273 125 
			 2005/06(15) 273 125 
			 Total 1,225 625 
		
	
	1 Paid to Wakefield Health Authority
	2 Paid to Wakefield local authority
	Decisions on allocations to individual local authorities for 2006/07 to 2007/08 have not yet been made. However, the overall total grant allocation for the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy will be the same in 2006/07 to 2007/08 as it was in 2004/05 and 2005/06 (with the exception of Sure Start Plus funding, which will cease on 1 April 2006).

Teenage Pregnancy

Edward Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much will be invested by the Government in response to the Third Report of the Independent Advisory Group on Teenage Pregnancy in (a) England and (b) the Wakefield district.

Beverley Hughes: The level of funding for the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy is agreed in the context of the Government's Spending Review, which allocates funding for a three-year period. However, recommendations by IAG are taken into account when spending review bids are being developed.

Teenage Pregnancy

Edward Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many under-18 pregnancies occurred in (a) Wakefield district and (b) Normanton constituency (i) in each of the two years before the launch of the Sure Start Plus scheme and (ii) each subsequent year.

Beverley Hughes: Funding for the Sure Start Plus pilot began in financial year 2001/02. The first table provides under-18 conception numbers and rates for Wakefield for each year from 1997 to 2003 (the latest year for which data are available). The rate reduction in Wakefield during this period is 17.8 per cent.. This is higher than the national rate reduction of 9.8 per cent. and the regional rate reduction of 11.9 per cent.
	
		Under 18 conception statistics for Wakefield, 1997–2003
		
			  Number Rate 
		
		
			 1997 333 58.5 
			 1998 319 56.5 
			 1999 326 56.9 
			 2000 288 48.7 
			 2001 290 47.1 
			 2002 283 45.0 
			 2003 306 48.1 
		
	
	The second table shows ward data aggregated over three years, for the period 2000 to 2002. Ward data is not available for each of the individual years referred to in the question.
	
		Under 18 conception numbers and rates for wards inNormanton constituency, 2000–02
		
			 Ward Number Rate 
		
		
			 Normanton and Sharlston 57 60.5 
			 Ossett 31 37.4 
			 Stanley and Altofts 27 30.5 
			 Horbury 23 24.7 
			 Stanley and Wrenthorpe 22 21.8 
		
	
	Note:
	Rates are per 1,000 females aged 15–17
	Sources:
	Office for National Statistics and Teenage Pregnancy Unit

Under-achievement

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress has been made towards reducing the disproportionate rate of exclusion of boys from (a) white working class backgrounds, (b) Afro-Caribbean backgrounds and (c) minority ethnic groups.

Jacqui Smith: Departmental data (2003/04) show that Black boys are permanently excluded at over twice the rate of White boys. These data also show disproportionately high rates of both fixed period and permanent exclusion of pupils from some minority ethnic groups including Travellers of Irish Heritage and Black Caribbean; although encouragingly, it shows that the rate of permanent exclusion of Black pupils has decreased from 58 pupils in 10,000 in 1997/98 to 29 in 10,000 in 2003/04. We do not collect data on the socio-economic groups of excluded pupils.
	We are committed to reducing the disproportionate rate of exclusion experienced by some minority ethnic groups. In September we wrote to local authorities to highlight this, and to urge them to analyse their data more rigorously and take appropriate action. We expect all secondary schools to be working in partnerships by September 2007 to provide early intervention and support for pupils at risk of exclusion and those that are excluded; in particular for pupils from Black and other minority ethnic groups.

NORTHERN IRELAND

A-level Examiners

William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of A-level examiners in Northern Ireland are drawn from the university sector.

Angela Smith: For the summer 2005 GCE AS/A-level examinations, the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) engaged 979 examiners of which 16 (1.63 per cent.) indicated they were employed in the university sector.

Births

William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many babies have been born in each constituency in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years.

Angela Smith: The number of births registered to mothers resident in each parliamentary constituency in Northern Ireland for the years 2002 to 2004 is given in the following table:
	
		
			 Parliamentary constituency 2002 2003 2004(14) 
		
		
			 Belfast East 771 872 870 
			 Belfast North 1,030 1,077 1,087 
			 Belfast South 978 1,029 1,009 
			 Belfast West 1,184 1,189 1,288 
			 East Antrim 1,023 1,008 1,007 
			 East Londonderry 1,093 1,094 1,097 
			 Fermanagh and South Tyrone 1,219 1,128 1,215 
			 Foyle 1,568 1,498 1,482 
			 Lagan Valley 1,328 1,316 1,377 
			 Mid Ulster 1,275 1,203 1,349 
			 Newry and Armagh 1,461 1,506 1,507 
			 North Antrim 1,278 1,283 1,378 
			 North Down 829 960 935 
			 South Antrim 1,303 1,308 1,400 
			 South Down 1,433 1,476 1,509 
			 Strangford 1,136 1,153 1,194 
			 Upper Bann 1,333 1,388 1,469 
			 West Tyrone 1,136 1,151 1,131 
			 Parliamentary constituency unknown 7 9 14 
			 Northern Ireland 21,385 21,648 22,318 
		
	
	(14)Provisional data

School Meals

William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action the Government have taken to promote healthy eating in primary schools in South Antrim.

Angela Smith: The Department of Education, in conjunction with the Education and Library Boards and other school authorities, is introducing new nutritional standards for school meals. The Department has provided additional funding to support the initiative and this will mostly be used to raise the food and nutritional content value of school meals to 50p in primary schools, and 60p in post-primary schools, in line with developments in England. There are 50 schools in the North-Eastern Education and Library Board area presently involved in the roll-out of the new standards and a further 78 will follow in January 2006. 17 of the 44 primary schools in South Antrim will be meeting the standards by that date. All schools will eventually be included in the scheme.

Domestic Rates

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what use is being made of computer-assisted mass appraisal in the Northern Ireland domestic rates revaluation.

Angela Smith: The Valuation and Lands Agency (VLA), which is carrying out the domestic revaluation in Northern Ireland is at the forefront of CAMA application in the UK. It is currently being used by VLA to produce first pass capital values for the vast majority of the 715,000 domestic properties being revalued as at 1 January 2005 for publication in April 2006.
	Although some property types, notably apartments and the domestic element of mixed residential/commercial properties are being valued by the traditional manual" method, approximately 90 per cent. of the entire housing stock in Northern Ireland will be assessed on a capital value basis using Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal techniques. These first pass" values generated will be subject to a review and verification process.

Domestic Rates

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he plans to introduce legislation to allow for the domestic rates revaluation in Northern Ireland; and whether this will require primary legislation.

Angela Smith: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 8 November 2005, Official Report, column 427W. Subject to parliamentary approval, it is intended that the draft Rates (Capital Values, etc.) (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 will be made by April 2006 and the proposed second order in council by April 2007.

Domestic Rates

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his estimate is of the gross revenue to be raised in local domestic rates (a) in Northern Ireland and (b) in each council in Northern Ireland in (i) 2005–06 and (ii) 2006–07; and what revenue was raised in 2004–05 in each case.

Angela Smith: Domestic rates consists of two elements, the regional rate, set by the Secretary of State on a uniform basis across Northern Ireland, and the district rate, set separately by each district council relevant to the location of the property.
	The total revenue raised in 2004–05 and estimated revenue to be raised in 2005–06 through domestic rates in Northern Ireland are contained in the Table 1:
	
		Table 1 -- £ million
		
			 District rate 2004–05 2005–06(15) 
		
		
			 Antrim 4.6 4.9 
			 Ards 7.9 8.4 
			 Armagh 5.5 5.8 
			 Ballymena 5.4 5.7 
			 Ballymoney 2.5 2.5 
			 Banbridge 4.6 4.8 
			 Belfast 26.6 28.2 
			 Carrickfergus 4.2 4.4 
			 Castlereagh 5.7 6.0 
			 Coleraine 6.2 6.5 
			 Cookstown 2.5 2.7 
			 Craigavon 8.3 8.7 
			 Derry 10.2 7.0 
			 Down 6.6 3.7 
			 Dungannon 3.5 4.1 
			 Fermanagh 3.8 3.5 
			 Larne 3.3 3.0 
			 Limavady 2.8 10.6 
			 Lisburn 10.3 10.8 
			 Magherafelt 2.7 2.9 
			 Moyle 2.1 2.2 
			 Newry 8.3 8.7 
			 Newtownabbey 8.4 8.8 
			 North Down 9.1 9.6 
			 Omagh 4.4 4.6 
			 Strabane 2.9 3.0 
			 Total district rate 162.3 171.4 
			 Total regional rate 184.5 194.9 
			 Total domestic rate 346.8 366.3 
		
	
	(15)Estimate
	It is estimated that the proposed domestic regional rate for 2006–07 will raise £251.6 million in revenue. This estimate may change as a consequence of future updates to collection and valuation information.
	There is no estimate of revenue for the domestic district rate for 2006–07 as the level of district rates is determined by each of the 26 district councils, based on the relevant underlying cost forecasts for each council. This rate will be set in February 2006.

Employment

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the change in the numbers of those in full-time employment in each parliamentary constituency in Northern Ireland has been between 2001 and 2005.

Angela Smith: Estimates of the number of employee jobs below Northern Ireland level are only available from the Census of Employment on a biennial basis and the most up to date figures relate to September 2003. Estimates of the number of full-time employee jobs in September 2001 and September 2003 and the change over this period for each parliamentary constituency area within Northern Ireland can be found in the following table.
	
		Number of full-time employee jobs at September 2001 and September 2003 and change over the two-year period for each parliamentary constituency area
		
			 Parliamentary constituency area September 2001 September 2003 Change 2001–03 
		
		
			 Belfast East 30,024 29,325 -699 
			 Belfast North 31,326 31,074 -252 
			 Belfast South 64,662 67,994 3,332 
			 Belfast West 20,229 20,494 265 
			 East Antrim 14,884 13,267 -1,617 
			 East Londonderry 19,693 20,243 550 
			 Fermanagh and South Tyrone 21,009 22,085 1,076 
			 Foyle 26,751 26,901 150 
			 Lagan Valley 24,932 25,187 255 
			 Mid-Ulster 16,822 17,865 1,043 
			 Newry and Armagh 22,278 23,170 892 
			 North Antrim 23,681 25,065 1,384 
			 North Down 12,874 13,388 514 
			 South Antrim 27,002 26,527 -475 
			 South Down 15,805 15,833 28 
			 Strangford 17,907 17,912 5 
			 Upper Bann 27,445 27,536 91 
			 West Tyrone 16,627 16,931 304 
			 Northern Ireland 433,951 440,797 6,846 
		
	
	Source:
	Census of Employment, DETI

Employment

William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of persons released from Northern Ireland prisons have entered employment after being released in each year since 2001.

Angela Smith: The information requested by the hon. Gentleman is not available.

Empty Industrial Properties

William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the number of empty industrial properties in each constituency in Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: The Rate Collection Agency's records currently show a total of 399 empty" properties as having been used for industrial purposes immediately prior to becoming vacant.
	Unfortunately the Agency is unable to provide numbers on a constituency basis, but has provided them within district council area in the following table:
	
		
			 District name Total 
		
		
			 Antrim 12 
			 Ards 36 
			 Armagh 11 
			 Ballymena 4 
			 Ballymoney 4 
			 Banbridge 6 
			 Belfast 76 
			 Carrickfergus 11 
			 Castlereagh 4 
			 Coleraine 5 
			 Cookstown 18 
			 Craigavon 41 
			 Down 9 
			 Dungannon and S. Tyrone 17 
			 Fermanagh 15 
			 Larne 11 
			 Limavady 2 
			 Lisburn 20 
			 Deny 11 
			 Magherafelt 15 
			 Moyle 0 
			 Newry and Mourne 24 
			 Newtownabbey 10 
			 North Down 7 
			 Omagh 21 
			 Strabane 9 
			 Total 399

Homosexual Civil Partnerships

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what (a) employment protection and (b) other provisions there are for (i) council staff and (ii)Registrar's Office staff with conscientious objections to homosexual civil partnerships.

Angela Smith: All council staff are protected by employment law. Registrars and other council staff appointed to register civil partnerships and carry out other related functions are provided with specific training which includes input from the Coalition of Sexual Orientation. It is the responsibility of the local registration authority to address any concerns individual staff might have, relating to same sex civil partnerships. The authority, however, must ensure that it fulfils its statutory responsibility of providing this service to the public.

House Prices

William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average house price in (a) Antrim Town, (b) Dunadry, (c) Templepatrick, (d) Mallusk and (e) Ballyclare was on (a) the latest date for which figures are available and (b) 1 October 2000.

Angela Smith: The average price of houses in each of the localities specified is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Study areas Average selling price(16)2000 Count of sales Average selling price(16)2005 Count of sales 
		
		
			 Antrim Town 62,864 128 76,046 78 
			 Dunadry 110,333 6 182,333 3 
			 Templepatrick 113,574 27 230,750 4 
			 Mallusk 102,274 61 118,952 25 
			 Ballyclare 71,822 81 104,937 78 
		
	
	(16)The average selling price provided for 2000 is based on all of the sales in that year—not just the October sales. The 2005 figure is based on the sales recorded from 1 January 2005 to the present.

Invest Northern Ireland

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress is being made by Invest Northern Ireland in increasing the percentage of the work force in Northern Ireland that is in the private sector.

Angela Smith: During the past three years to June 2005 there has been an increase of over 22,000 jobs within the private sector. However, when expressed as a percentage of the total, there was a slight decline, from 73.4 per cent. in June 2002 to 72.8 per cent. in June 2005. This was due to an increase of almost 15,000 jobs within the public sector, which falls outside the remit of Invest NI.
	During the same time period, Invest NI provided over 17,000 offers of assistance towards the formation and development of private sector businesses across Northern Ireland. This assistance, totalling £400 million, contributed towards a total planned investment of over £1.5 billion.
	These investments are focused on that element of the private sector, which has the greatest potential for creating wealth i.e. those businesses which can demonstrate the potential for growth through the development of markets outside Northern Ireland.
	During the last three financial years Invest NI made 106 offers in support of inward investment projects within Northern Ireland. These projects are anticipated to create over 6,500 new jobs, mostly within knowledge-based industries.
	Within the total number of offers made, almost 8,500 offers of assistance were made to new businesses through the Start a Business Programme, which is jointly administered by Invest Northern Ireland and Enterprise Northern Ireland. These businesses are expected to create over 15,000 jobs.
	The full benefits that arise from this Invest NI assistance will continue to accrue for a number of years to come.

Meat Exports

William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he has taken since becoming Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to promote the export of Ulster (a) pork, (b) lamb and (c) beef.

Angela Smith: EU state aid rules limit the extent to which public funds may be used to support export campaigns that promote domestically produced meat. Nevertheless, where possible, DARD is working actively to assist exporters, for example by the development of international marketing strategies under the Food Strategy Fit for Market" initiative, facilitating state aid approvals for promotional activity carried out by the Livestock and Meat Commission. This includes a promotional campaign currently under way in the Netherlands to promote Northern Ireland lamb and a Beef Market Restoration Campaign which will commence in 2006, intended to address key issues relating to the restoration of beef obtained from cattle over-30-months (OTM) old at slaughter into the food chain, minimise the impact of OTM beef on the market and achieve early integration of this beef into the supply chain and export markets as soon as they reopen. Every effort is also being made to have the beef export ban lifted as soon as possible as this will provide a great stimulus for the industry. In addition the future sustainability of these sectors will depend on increased focus on customer requirements and the development of differentiated products that will enhance their ability to compete in global markets.

Property Valuations

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 8 November 2005, Official Report, column 428W, on property valuations, if he will place in the Library (a) the final Integrated Impact Assessment for the Draft Rates (Capital Values, etc) (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 and (b) the responses to the consultation which has taken place.

Angela Smith: Copies of the Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA), New TSN analysis and Rural Proofing analysis have been placed in the Library.
	Responses to the consultation have been placed on www.nics.gov.uk/ratingpolicy

Railways

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many passenger train journeys in Northern Ireland arrived on time in (a) 1999 and (b) 2004.

Shaun Woodward: Northern Ireland Railways does not record the number of train journeys arriving exactly on time except for the Bangor, Portadown and Larne lines where performance in 2004 was 19 per cent. The information was not collected in 1999.
	However, there are additional Passenger Charter Standards against which Northern Ireland Railways measures train punctuality. For the Bangor, Portadown and Lame lines the standard is arrival within five minutes of planned destination arrival time. In 2004 88 per cent. of train journeys met this standard. In 1999 the figure was 86 per cent.
	For the Dublin, Londonderry and Portrush lines the standard is arrival within 10 minutes of the planned destination arrival time. In 2004 94 per cent. of train journeys met this standard and in 1999 this figure was 95 per cent.

South Eastern Education and Library Board

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much money has been spent to date by the South Eastern Education and Library Board on the public private partnership project for Comber high school and Bangor Academy.

Angela Smith: I understand from the chief executive of the South Eastern Education and Library Board that to date £513,902 has been spent by the board on the public private partnership project for Comber high school and Bangor Academy and Sixth Form College, whose capital value is currently estimated to be some £34 million. This includes £67,100 in respect of a traffic impact assessment and ground investigation surveys.

Sustainable Development

William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to deliver sustainable development in (a) South Antrim and (b) Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Smith: The recent announcement on the Draft Priorities and Budget indicated significant increased funding for Northern Ireland in the health and education sectors along with three new ring-fenced investment priority funding packages: children and young people, investment in training and skills and in protecting the environment by the research and development of new sources of renewable and clean energy. This will help to ensure that Northern Ireland is better equipped for a more sustainable future.
	The Department of the Environment (DOE) is taking the lead in producing the Sustainable Development Strategy for Northern Ireland (NISDS) which is due to be published along with an implementation plan in summer 2006.
	The emerging strategy has identified six priority areas for action and flagged up that some of the key sustainable development issues for NI relate to energy, waste and transport and their associated impacts on society.
	In tackling the key issue of waste, the Department of the Environment is working with all local authorities on the implementation of the Waste Management Strategy and provides funding which supports recycling of waste. Together with the recent inclusion of Antrim borough council in the kerbside collection scheme operated by Bryson House Recycling, this has contributed to the area having one of the highest recycling rates in NI (38.4 per cent.).
	Energy and CO 2 emissions from fossil fuels are another key issue for NI. The erection of a 600 kWh wind turbine on the Antrim Hospital site generates the hospital's base electrical loading using renewable energy and giving an estimated reduction of 1,376 tonnes in CO 2 annually.
	In terms of transport, a series of improvements to the A8 Belfast to Larne road over recent years will help to increase safety and improve travel times on what is a key route within the Antrim council area. Furthermore, DRD have announced that almost £700,000 will be invested in local transport and safety schemes in the Antrim council area this year.
	Last month, the Department for Social Development awarded Antrim town centre £75,000 as part of a town marketing programme which includes support for a programme of events and a shop local initiative. This will help support the local economy and assist in branding Antrim as an interesting place to visit.

Tourism

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress is being made in promoting Northern Ireland as a tourist destination.

Angela Smith: There has been excellent progress in promoting Northern Ireland as a tourist destination. In the last 10 years tourism numbers in Northern Ireland have grown by 60 per cent. At the same time tourism spend has grown by 80 per cent.
	In 2004 Northern Ireland passed a milestone by welcoming over 2.1 million visitors and the opportunity to capitalise on this success is ever stronger with tourism currently contributing £439 million to the economy.

Ulster Scots

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he plans to include questions on knowledge of Ulster Scots cultural issues in the next census in Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: No decisions on question topics and content for the next Census in Northern Ireland are being taken at this stage. Following consultation with users, testing of options and the balancing of different requirements, it is planned that proposals will be brought forward in a White Paper, currently planned for 2008. The final content of the Census will ultimately be determined through the legislative process in the form of a Census Order and Census Regulations, probably around 2010.

DEFENCE

Armed Forces (Smoking)

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what services are offered to service personnel to assist them in giving up smoking.

Don Touhig: The Ministry of Defence offers a range of advice and assistance to service personnel wishing to give up smoking. These are outlined in a Surgeon General's Policy Letter and incorporate the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommendations and guidelines. The levels of support for smoking cessation are:
	Brief Intervention
	This is tailored to individual needs and is designed to motivate smoking cessation. This can be provided by all health care professionals (i.e. medical and dental) and is carried out opportunistically.
	Intermediate Support
	This is provided within a local health care setting and is delivered by specially trained personnel.
	Specialist Smoking Cessation Clinics
	This level of support is for resistant but motivated smokers who have failed using other methods. This level of support is currently available through the NHS.
	A number of smoking cessation aids are currently available to personnel. These are:
	Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), available on prescription.
	Buproprion, available on prescription.
	Recommended aids are supported, such as health promotion leaflets,
	websites, help lines and national initiatives such as National No Smoking Day.

Army Prosecuting Authority

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether instances of requests by the Army Prosecuting Authority for military police to conduct further investigations into cases of alleged abuse in Iraq not being carried out have been drawn to his attention.

Adam Ingram: The Secretary of State is aware that a difficult operational environment can sometimes preclude the full and/or timely completion of further investigations.
	In March 2005, the Attorney-General drew the Secretary of State's attention to a case in which there had been a delay in carrying out further investigations. Those investigations have, however, now been completed.

Army Prosecuting Authority

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British soldiers in Iraq are under investigation following allegations of misconduct, where no charges have yet been brought; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: As at 21 November cases involving 10 soldiers were under consideration by prosecuting authorities in relation to incidents where Iraqi nationals have allegedly been killed or injured. To date these soldiers have not been charged with any offence.

Courts Martial

Chris Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions armed forces commanding officers have (a) overruled courts martial verdicts and (b) reduced sentences imposed by courts martial in each of the last five years.

Adam Ingram: Commanding officers have no authority to overrule court martial findings or to reduce sentences imposed by courts martial.

Defence Industry Inflation

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the difference was between defence industry inflation and inflation in each year since 1997.

Adam Ingram: The UK rate of inflation is published by HM Treasury on their website in the form of the GDP deflator. The deflator is usually expressed in terms of an index, i.e. a time series of index numbers. The following table provides data on the GDP deflator at market prices from 1996–97 to 2004–05:
	
		
			  Financial year GDP deflator at market prices 2004–05=100 Percentage change on previous year 
		
		
			 1996–97 82.687 3.53 
			 1997–98 85.132 2.96 
			 1998–99 87.341 2.59 
			 1999–2000 89.059 1.97 
			 2000–01 90.225 1.31 
			 2001–02 92.454 2.47 
			 2002–03 95.391 3.18 
			 2003–04 97.920 2.65 
			 2004–05 100.000 2.12 
		
	
	Source:
	HM Treasury
	Specific data relating to inflation in the UK defence industry is not compiled. However, output price indices relating to industrial products are published by the Office for National Statistics in Producer Price Indices MM22", tables 2 and 4. Input price indices for aircraft and spacecraft, weapons and ammunition, instruments and appliances and electronic valve products are published by the Office for National Statistics in Aerospace and Electronics MM19". Both publications cover products within the defence and civil sectors.

Defence Training

Patrick McFadden: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the consortia bidding for the future defence training contracts.

Don Touhig: No Defence Ministers have had discussions with the consortia bidding for the future defence training contracts.
	The DTR programme leader and his team have, however, held a very open and consultative dialogue with bidders while they have prepared responses to the Department's invitations to negotiate. 2nd PUS, VCDS and Training Agency chief executives have also all met and held discussions with the bidders' senior CEOs and senior board members. In addition, the wider Ministry of Defence customer community have discussed the MOD's requirement with bidders and trade unions have also met with them.

Defence Training

Patrick McFadden: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to make a decision regarding the future consolidation of defence training services.

Don Touhig: I anticipate making an announcement on the preferred solution for the Defence Training Rationalisation programme in late 2006.

Freedom of Information

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many freedom of information applications his Department has received; how many have taken more than 20 days to process; and how many of these gave rise to complaints about the time taken.

Don Touhig: The Freedom of Information Act came into force on 1 January 2005. By the end of the second quarter of 2005, that is by 30 June, the Ministry of Defence had received a total of 2,882 requests to disclose information under the Act. During the second quarter, 80 per cent. of requests for information were answered within the 20-day deadline and 83 per cent. within the 20-day deadline or with a permitted extension. 10 complaints concerning the lateness of the original response from the Ministry of Defence had been received by 30 June.
	The Department for Constitutional Affairs is committed to publishing quarterly updates in relation to departmental performance under FOI, including information on both the volume and outcomes of requests. The bulletin for the second quarter was published on 30 September 2005 and can be found on the DCA website at http://www.foi.gov.uk/statsapr-jun05.htm and in the Library of the House. The next bulletin will be published before Christmas while an annual report will be published in early 2006.

Future Army Structure

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the timetable is for the implementation of the future Army structure.

John Reid: Following my predecessor's announcement on 16 December, Official Report, columns 1795–1800, the Army has been working to implement the changes under the future Army structure. This includes the re-rolling of 19 Mechanised Brigade into a Light Brigade. The majority of changes to the Army, including changes to the infantry, will be completed by 2008.

Iraq

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many insurgents have been (a) injured and (b) killed by UK forces in each month since March 2003.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 15 November 2005
	The best record of insurgents killed and injured by the United Kingdom forces are the Significant Actions Reports filed by UK forces following incidents involving hostile forces. The table details the information drawn from this reporting for the period between June 2003 and September 2005. Due to the tempo of operations information on insurgent casualties was not collected centrally before June 2005.
	The figures drawn from these reports are not an accurate estimate of Iraqi casualties caused by UK forces, and should not be taken as such. It is not always possible to make an accurate count of Iraqi casualties following hostile contacts. The figures reported are the subjective impression of troops involved in the incidents. There is no way of checking these impressions since UK forces do not risk their own lives to ascertain how many casualties they have caused hostile forces and Iraqi casualties are frequently withdrawn from the area. It is also not always possible to determine who caused the casualties. Sometimes insurgents are killed or injured by the fire of other insurgents, although this number is likely to be small.
	
		
			 Month Enemy KIA Enemy WIA 
		
		
			 2003   
			 June(17) 0 0 
			 July 0 0 
			 August 5 6 
			 September 0 5 
			 October 1 2 
			 November 8 6 
			 December 4 7 
			
			 2004   
			 January 3 4 
			 February 2 8 
			 March 8 13 
			 April 40 17 
			 May 95 16 
			 June 1 4 
			 July 1 0 
			 August 74 26 
			 September 2 0 
			 October 1 3 
			 November 1 1 
			 December 1 0 
			 2005   
			 January 10 7 
			 February 0 0 
			 March 1 1 
			 April 1 13 
			 May 1 2 
			 June 0 0 
			 July 0 0 
			 August 1 0 
			 September(17) 0 0 
			 Total 261 141 
		
	
	(17)Incomplete data available.

Iraq

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions (a) he and (b) his predecessor has had with his US counterpart on operations in Iraq since January 2004; whether ammunition used has been discussed; and if he will make a statement.

John Reid: holding answer 21 November 2005
	Since January 2004, my predecessor and I have had a number of discussions with our United States counterpart about operations in Iraq. There have been no specific discussions about ammunition used.

Iraq

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  whether personnel employed by private (a) military and (b) security companies contracted to his Department in Iraq are required to record incidents involving the injury or death of Iraqis;
	(2)  what legal immunities apply to individuals employed by private (a) military and (b) security companies contracted to his Department in Iraq;
	(3)  how many personnel are working for private (a) military and (b) security companies contracted to his Department in (i) Iraq and (ii) Multi-National Division South East in Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 17 November 2005
	The Ministry of Defence does not contract any private military companies or private security companies in Iraq, and we hold neither employment records nor company policy documents for those which do operate there. Contractors working for Coalition nations are immune from Iraqi legal process only with respect to acts performed by them pursuant to the terms and conditions of a contract or sub-contract. Otherwise, they must respect all relevant Iraqi laws, including Coalition Provisional Authority order regulations, orders, memoranda and public notices.

Members' Visits

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 7 November 2005, to the hon. Member for Chorley (Mr. Hoyle), Official Report, column 101W, on Members' visits, if he will list the sites where requests to visit were refused.

Don Touhig: Members of Parliament were refused visits to the following sites:
	RAF Culdrose, Cornwall
	RAF Menwith Hill, North Yorkshire (four refusals)
	1 Kings Own Scottish Borderers, Lisenelly Barracks, Northern Ireland

Military Prosecuting Authorities

Chris Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has for independent oversight of Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force prosecuting authorities once they merge; and if he will make a statement.

Don Touhig: The Army, Navy and Air Force prosecuting authorities are subject to the general superintendence of the Attorney-General. The Armed Forces Bill, to be introduced to Parliament shortly, will provide for the establishment of a single prosecuting authority for all three services, but the superintendence arrangements for the new authority will not change.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Predictive Diallers

John Hemming: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many calls were made from call centres in her Department in 2004–05 using predictive diallers; how many such calls resulted in contact being made with the recipient without a Government agent available to talk to them; and what assessment she has made of the likely impact of Ofcom's policy on silent calls on the use of predictive diallers in departmental call centres.

Harriet Harman: Two call centres are currently operated by the Department for Constitutional Affairs or its agencies:
	The Asylum and Immigration Tribunal Call Centre, Leicester,
	The Magistrates Court Fines Collection Call Centre, Gwent.
	Neither of these call centres currently makes use of predictive diallers and there are no future plans for their use.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Broadband

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total amount of financial subsidies and grants received by BT has been since 1997 for the purpose of extending broadband availability in the UK.

Alun Michael: Since 1997 BT has received the following financial sums to enable exchanges to extend broadband availability in the UK:
	East of England Development Agency paid BT approximately £500,000, to enable most of their remaining exchanges in BED A areas. This was awarded through the Broadband Aggregation programme.
	Following a competitive tender South West Regional Development Agency awarded BT approximately £3900,000 to enable some exchanges in the Cornwall area.
	Following a competitive tender, BT in Wales was awarded £3.6 million of European Structural Funding to upgrade over 40 BT telephone exchanges from UXD5, making ISDB2 services available to 99 per cent. of BT lines. The investment was also used to enable Digital Subscriber Lines, ahead of the commercial roll-out programme for the UK, in BT exchanges in market towns across Wales. It is estimated that the total project value was around £6 million.
	Following a full EU Procurement Process to extend broadband availability in the North East region, BT was paid £1,830,345. This sum is subject to a downward adjustment, in accordance with a reverse contribution scheme, which operates to repay money to the Agency if broadband take up in the region exceeds a prescribed level.
	£364k was awarded to Vale Royal Local Authority acting on behalf of the Cheshire Digital Development Agency who, following a competitive tender through the North West Regional Aggregation Body, awarded BT a contract to enable of a series of remote rural exchanges in Cheshire.
	In Cumbria, Your Communications was awarded a large infrastructure project (Project Access) contract for approximately £17 million following a negotiated, state aid approved OJEU competitive tender. Your Communications sub contracted part of the contract with a value of around £1 million to BT for the early enablement of all the exchanges in Cumbria and specifically for the enablement of 14 exchanges in the remotest areas of the sub region.
	In Scotland £16.5 million was awarded to BT following competitive tender. The roll-out has not yet been completed so not all the money has been paid as yet. The European Commission was notified under State Aid rules.
	East Midlands Development Agency has worked with BT on a number of sub- regional strategic partnerships, to extend broadband availability. As part of the contractual arrangements confidentiality agreements were signed by the sub- regional partnerships to protect information as commercial in confidence. Accordingly, this information is not be available for disclosure.

Rail Freight (Scottish Coal)

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the £9.7 million allocated to Scottish Coal (Opencast) to develop rail freight facilities for the transport of coal by rail has been spent.

Malcolm Wicks: This is a devolved matter for the Scottish Executive and my hon. Friend may wish to write to them about the issue.

Coal Imports

Alan Meale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much coal was imported into the UK in each of the past five years.

Malcolm Wicks: The total amount of coal imported into the UK in each of the five years from 2000 to 2004 is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Thousand tonnes 
		
		
			 2000 23,446 
			 2001 35,542 
			 2002 28,687 
			 2003 31,891 
			 2004 36,153 
		
	
	Source:
	Table 2.7, Digest of UK Energy Statistics, 2005

Coal Miners' Compensation

Brian H Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his initial findings were in the June review of the work of (a) the Union of Democratic Miners, (b) claims handling firms and (c) other solicitors in relation to fraudulent handling of health compensation claims for ex-coal miners; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: I hope to make a statement shortly.

Coal Miners' Compensation

Brian H Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what conclusions he has reached following the review of his Department's administration of the health compensation scheme for claims by ex-coal miners; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 21 November 2005
	I hope to make a statement shortly.

Coal Miners' Compensation

Brian H Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate his Department has made of the costs incurred as a result of the fraudulent handling of claims under the health compensation scheme for ex-miners; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure adequate safeguards are in place in the future administration of the scheme.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 21 November 2005
	I asked Stephen Boys Smith to look at this aspect as part of his review of the coal health compensation schemes and I hope to make a statement shortly.

Coal Production

Alan Meale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the levels of coal produced were in the UK in each of the past five years.

Malcolm Wicks: The total amount of coal produced in the UK in each of the five years from 2000 to 2004 is shown in the following table:
	
		Thousand tonnes
		
			  Deep-mined Opencast Total 
		
		
			 2000 17,187 13,412 30,600 
			 2001 17,347 14,166 31,513 
			 2002 16,391 13,148 29,539 
			 2003 15,633 12,126 27,759 
			 2004 12,543 11,993 24,536 
		
	
	Source:
	Table 2.7, Digest of UK Energy Statistics, 2005

Departmental Sickness Absence

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many staff in his Department have been absent on sick leave during the last two years for more than (a) three months, (b) six months, (c) 12 months and (d) two years.

Alan Johnson: The DTI HQ's statistics show that, in the last two-year period, 128 staff have been continuously sick for over 3 months, 8 have been continuously sick for over 6 months, 1 for over a year and none for over 2 years.

Departmental Staff

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements are in place to monitor attendance by staff in his Department at seminars and conferences; and how much was spent in each of the last five years on attendance at conference and seminars by members of staff in his Department, broken down into (a) travel and accommodation expenses and (b) fees for attendance.

Alan Johnson: Attendance at seminars and conferences requires the approval of a senior officer with the necessary delegated authority to commit to expenditure from an appropriate budget and is arranged at Management Unit level. No central monitoring takes place. Details of the amount spent on travel and accommodation by officials and fees paid to attend seminars and conferences over the last five years could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Electricity Generation

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent research has been (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated by his Department on ways to store bulk generated electricity.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 10 November 2005
	Since 1999, the Department has commissioned a number of studies to examine the future role of bulk electricity storage in the UK, its economics and the potential of various storage technologies. These studies are summarised below.
	
		
			 Project Title Contractor Summary 
		
		
			 Utility Scale Energy Storage (Regenesys) Innogy (RWE) Development of Regenesys and an analysis of using storage to mitigate the impacts of variability 
			 Utility Scale Energy Storage Assessment Campbell Carr Assessment of the economic value of utility scale electricity storage particularly in the context of the new electricity trading arrangements 
			 Status of electricity storage developments Swanbarton Assessment of the status of electrical energy storage technologies and systems with particular reference to opportunities for research, development and commercial implementation 
			 Intermittency and Electrical Storage UNIST Review of the economic case for additional bulk electricity storage against a background of increasing wind and gas fired generation 
			 Review of Storage Technologies EATL Review of storage technology options and their potential for application in the UK 
			 Redox Energy Storage Technology E-Fuel Technology Ltd Support for a redox flow battery technology for use in transport and domestic/industrial energy management applications 
			 Development of Redox Flow Batteries for Utility Energy Storage ESD Ltd To develop, build and test a 250 kW redox flow battery for utility energy storage.

Electricity Generation

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the total capacity of electricity generating plant that will need to be constructed by 2015; what projections his Department has made of the type of plant that will be constructed; and what estimate he has made of the average time required to construct a (a) coal-fired and (b) gas-fired power station.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 21 November 2005
	According to the DTI's most recently published projections, dating from November 2004, around 14 Gigawatts of new capacity is expected to be constructed by the end of 2015. Nearly all of the new capacity built is expected to be either CCGT or renewable.
	The generic assumption in energy projections work is that construction of new CCGT plant can be achieved in around 3 years and for new coal plant, around 4 to 5 years. These assumptions do not include the time taken in the approval process.

Energy Review

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will ensure that Parliament is the first to be informed, in an oral statement, of the terms of reference of the forthcoming Energy Review.

Malcolm Wicks: The Energy Review terms of reference will be placed in the House as soon as they are available.

England-Scotland Interconnector

David Mundell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the extent to which Ofgem consulted (a) the Scottish Executive, (b) Scottish local authorities and (c) Scottish consumer bodies about transmission investment for renewable generation, with particular reference to the proposals for the England-Scotland interconnector.

Malcolm Wicks: Ofgem issued public consultation documents regarding its proposals for Transmission Investment in Renewable Generation which provided the opportunity for all stakeholders to comment.

EU Directives

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the (a) administrative introductory cost, (b) annual recurring cost and (c) total cost to date to UK business of (i) Directive 97/75/EC amending and extending Directive 96/34/EC on parental leave, (ii) Directive 97/74/EC amending and extending Directive 94/45/EC on works councils, (iii) Directive 98/23/EC on the extension of Directive 97/81/EC on part-time work, (iv) Directive 98/52/EC on the extension of Directive 97/80/EC, on the burden of proof in sex discrimination cases, (v) Directive 1999/70/EC on fixed-term work and (vi) Directive 2002/14/EC on the information and consultation of workers; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Regulatory Impact Assessment on the Maternity and Parental Leave Regulations 2001 extending the 1999 Regulations implementing Directive 97/75/EC estimates no significant one off implementation costs. Additional recurring annual costs to employers are estimated to be between £6 million and £39 million.
	The Regulatory Impact Assessment on the extension of the Council Directive on European Work Councils to include the UK estimates one off non-recurring costs of £8.4 million, affecting 111 UK based undertakings. Estimated annual recurring costs are estimated to be £14.5 million, assuming all affected undertakings set up a European Works Council.
	The Regulatory Impact Assessment on the Part Time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations implementing Directive 98/23/EC estimates costs of £27.4 million. These are annual and recurring costs to businesses.
	The sole purpose of Directive 98/52/EC on the extension of Directive 97/98/EC on the burden of proof in sex discrimination cases was to amend the implementation date of Directive 97/80/EC in the UK from the 1 January 2001 to 22 July 2001. Consequently no Impact Assessment was prepared.
	The Regulatory Impact Assessment on the implementation of Directive 1999/70/EC on fixed term work estimates a one off administrative implementation cost to businesses of £2 million. Annual recurring costs are also estimated and include increased access to training for fixed term employees (£39 million to £73 million) and additional costs from paying all fixed term employees Statutory Sick Pay after day one of their employment (up to £7 million).
	The Regulatory Impact Assessment on the implementation of the Information and Consultation Regulations 2004 estimates one off costs of between £24 million and £53 million spread between 2005 and 2012. Additional recurring costs are estimated to be between £20 million and £46 million each year to 2012.
	Each Regulatory Impact Assessment described above also identified significant monetary and non-monetary benefits associated with the relevant legislation. Regulatory Impact Assessments are an integrated policy tool designed to ensure that new regulations are proportionate and impose the minimum regulatory burden in a way such that the benefits justify the costs.

EU Satellite System

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which British companies are expected to participate in the construction of the EU Global Monitoring for Environment and Security satellite system; what representations the Government is making on their behalf at an EU level; what funds the Government expects to contribute for the system's construction; and if he will make a statement.

Barry Gardiner: A number of UK companies are already working on this project. The UK Government has regular interaction with the Commission on GMES although the majority of industrial contracts over the foreseeable future are likely to be let by the European Space Agency (ESA).
	My noble Friend the Minister for Science and Innovation and I are in discussion with Ministerial colleagues about the UK's position on funding the GMES Space Component Programme at the ESA Ministerial on 5–6 December.

Freedom of Information

Peter Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to his Department passed to the FOI clearing house for evaluation, broken down by (a) subject and (b) date of request.

Alan Johnson: Information about the handling of Freedom of Information requests is published in Freedom of Information Statistics on Implementation in Central Government". The most recently published report was 30 September 2005, copies were placed in the Libraries of the House. Additional information about the role of the Clearing House can be found on the DCA website at http://www.foi.gov.uk/guidance/index.htm#2. Departments do not release information about the internal handling of requests, such as details of which requests were referred to the Clearing House for guidance.

Gas Supplies

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the gas-fired power stations in the UK with interruptible contracts for gas supplies this winter.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 21 November 2005
	This is a contractual matter between the power stations and their gas suppliers.

Langage Power Station, Plymouth

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations he undertook with (a) local councils, (b) community groups and (c) honourable Members before deciding to extend the time period to permit construction of the Langage Power Station in Plymouth beyond five years.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 21 November 2005
	A formal request to extend the time period in the section 36 consent has been received. The Department has been in touch with South Hams District Council over the handling of reserved matters in the planning permission and has agreed an interim extension to give the Council time to consider the reserved matters. A decision on the request for a fuller extension of the time period in the section 36 consent will be made in due course.

Mr. Malcolm Hanney

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry who is responsible for the costs incurred in his Department's sex discrimination case involving Mr Malcolm Hanney.

Alan Johnson: The Department met the costs.

Nuclear Fusion

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much the Government have spent on nuclear fusion research and development over the last 10 years; and how much it plans to spend over the next 10 years.

Barry Gardiner: UK Government expenditure on fusion research and development over the last 10 years is given below. The UK's indirect contribution to the European fusion programme via EU funding for the EURATOM Framework Programme is excluded from these statistics.
	In 2004, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) awarded £48 million over the four years to 2007–08 to the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) for fusion research. Funding for subsequent years will depend on the outcome of Spending Reviews and the quality of the science case proposals.
	
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 1995–96 15.7 
			 1996–97 12.1 
			 1997–98 16.6 
			 1998–99 12.6 
			 1999–00 14.3 
			 2000–01 17.0 
			 2001–02 14.4 
			 2002–03 14.6 
			 2003–04 15.6 
			 2004–05 19.5

Nuclear Industry

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list sites that have passed into the control of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 11 November 2005
	The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) was set up on 1 April 2005, under the Energy Act 2004, to oversee strategic arrangements for managing the UK's civil public sector nuclear liabilities and clean up. The NDA are owners of the plant and facilities of BNFL (the Magnox stations, Sellafield, THORP/SMP, and Springfields); and took responsibility for managing clean up at the UKAEA sites (including Dounreay). The NDA has set out its plans for the decommissioning and clean up of its sites (including the proposed closure dates of its fleet of Magnox power stations) in its draft Strategy available at www.nda.gov.uk.
	The NDA's sites are:
	Berkeley power station
	Bradwell power station
	Calder Hall power station
	Capenhurst
	Chapelcross power station
	Culham
	Dounreay
	Drigg (Low Level Waste Repository)
	Dungeness A power station
	Harwell
	Hinkley Point A power station
	Hunterston A power station
	Oldbury power station
	Sellafield
	Springfields
	Sizewell A power station
	Trawsfynydd power station
	Windscale
	Winfrith
	Wylfa power station.

Power Stations (Carbon Emissions)

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment his Department has made of the level of carbon dioxide emissions in (a) a nuclear power station and (b) a similar capacity gas fired power station.

Malcolm Wicks: A new 1 Gigawatt combined cycle gas turbine power station, operating at a load factor of 80 per cent., would produce the equivalent of approximately 0.7 million tonnes of carbon per annum. Nuclear power stations produce negligible CO2 emissions.

Smoking

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his Department's policy concerning the health and safety of employees exposed to secondhand smoke.

Alan Johnson: The Department takes the health and safety of staff and visitors to its buildings very seriously. As from 1 January 2006, all DTI buildings will become completely smoke free.

Statutory Holiday Entitlements

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he has taken to implement the exclusion of bank holidays from minimum statutory holiday entitlements for employees.

Gerry Sutcliffe: My rt hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has taken a power in the recently introduced Work and Families Bill to enable us to put the Government's manifesto commitment to introduce for the first time, an entitlement for every employee to four weeks' paid holiday, and we propose to extend this by making it additional to bank holiday entitlement" into effect. A full and extensive consultation with stakeholders, in line with better regulation principles, will be undertaken before any detailed changes are proposed in order to take full account of all the issues involved including the wide variety of flexible and non-standard working patterns that exist.

Wind Farms

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment his Department has made of the minimum average wind speed necessary for a site to be considered suitable for a wind farm.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 16 November 2005
	The Department has made no assessment of the minimum average wind speed necessary for a wind farm. The decision as to whether a potential wind farm would be viable in a specific location is a matter for the developer and in making that decision wind speeds would no doubt come into the equation.

Working Time Directive

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what instructions he has given to the Health and Safety Executive regarding the advice it provides to employers on the Working Time Directive; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) was given powers by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry under the Working Time Regulations 1998 to enforce working time limits and health assessment requirements (for night workers). The HSE enforces the Working Time Regulations in accordance with the principles set out in the Health and Safety Commission's Enforcement Policy Statement which, in turn, reflects the Cabinet Office's Enforcement Concordat. HSE's Infoline contact centre gives advice to employers and employees on a wide variety of health and safety issues including working time.

PRIME MINISTER

Departmental Salaries

Michael Penning: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the 10 highest-paid employees in his Office, broken down by (a) job title and (b) salary including bonuses; and whether the individual concerned is (i) a civil servant and (ii) a contractor in each case.

Tony Blair: For these purposes my office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office (JimMurphy) on 14 November 2005, Official Report, columns 963–64W.

TREASURY

Betting Duty

Laurence Robertson: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department received from gross betting duty from off-course bookmakers in Northern Ireland in the most recent year for which figures are available.

John Healey: For the year ending 31 March 2005 off-course bookmakers based in Northern Ireland paid £10.5 million in general betting duty.

Identity Cards

Lynne Jones: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the (a) total and (b) net cost of (i) integrating the proposed identity card scheme into his Department's IT systems and (ii) the ongoing operation of the scheme within his Department.

John Healey: It is estimated that no additional costs will be incurred in integrating the proposed identity card scheme into HM Treasury's IT systems or to the on-going operation of the scheme within HM Treasury.

Self-invested Personal Pensions

Tim Farron: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made on the likely impact on demand for second homes of the new self-invested personal pension scheme.

Des Browne: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey (Danny Alexander) on 10November 2005, Official Report, column 456.

Tax Credits

Frank Field: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer in how many cases where a tax credit has been processed there was a delay in the computer system generating an award of child or working tax credit in (a) 2003–04 and (b) 2004–05; and how many such cases there have been in 2005–06.

Des Browne: The information requested is not available.

TRANSPORT

Airport Security

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) prosecutions and (b) dismissals of staff there have been in the last two years as a result of incidents related to security breaches airside at (i) Heathrow, (ii) Gatwick and (iii) other airports serving London.

Karen Buck: The Department is not involved in action against individual members of staff which is a matter for their employers or the police. Any reported breaches of security are thoroughly investigated and appropriate action taken with the Directed party concerned.

Buses

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the extent of compliance with public service requirements of buses planned to serve Olympic and Paralympic venues outside London in 2012.

Karen Buck: There has been no specific estimate of the extent of compliance with the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility (PSVA) Regulations for buses serving the Olympic and Paralympic venues in 2012.
	However, all full-size single-deck and double-deck buses must be compliant with the PSVA Regulations by 2016–17. This allows operators to achieve the full economic life from the fleet which existed before the regulations come into effect. To ensure the industry is well placed to meet these end dates, we have negotiated a voluntary agreement with the industry that 50 per cent. of the full-size bus fleet should be low-floor and accessible by 2010.

EU Co-financing

David Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which transport schemes in England have been promoted to EU co-financing since 2000.

Karen Buck: Under the current round of Objective 1 and Objective 2 structural funds programmes within England and which run from 2000–2006, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) has to date contributed approximately 118m towards transport related initiatives in England.
	The following transport schemes in England have been co-financed by the Trans-European Network fund since 2000:
	Channel Tunnel Rail Link (sections 1 & 2)
	West Coast Mainline
	Felixstowe to Nuneaton rail upgrade study and works
	Kings Cross/St. Pancreas rail Interchange (study)
	Trans-Pennine rail freight upgrade study
	Study into improved rail links to Stansted Airport
	Cross London Routes—rail study
	Southampton to West Coast Mainline rail project
	Reading Station—study into design of an additional crossing of the Great Western mainline railway at Reading and development of design work for the main Reading Station concourse
	Manchester Airport Ground Transport Interchange
	A120 Stansted to Braintree road upgrade.

Gatwick Express

Laura Moffatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will announce conclusions on the future of the Gatwick Express.

Derek Twigg: Proposals for future services on the Brighton Main Line, including Gatwick Express, were published in the draft Route Utilisation Strategy produced by the SRA. The options for this line are being considered and an announcement will be made in due course once a decision has been reached.

Merseytram

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when and where Ministers of his Department held meetings on Merseytram Line 1 with (a) hon. Members and (b) local authorities; and what was discussed at such meetings.

Derek Twigg: Ministers in this Department have had a number of meetings with hon. members and local authorities where aspects of Merseytram Line 1 were discussed. Most recently I met a delegation of hon. Members, local authority representatives and members of the Merseyside PTA on 14 November 2005, at the Department for Transport.
	At that meeting I underlined that the Government position on Merseytram has not changed: The Department's contribution to Merseytram was capped at £170 million. All costs above this level would have to be met from local sources, and that appropriate assurances would be needed from the authorities contributing to the costs of the scheme.

Merseytram

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what advice Ministers have received on whether it would be ultra vires or imprudent for Knowsley council and Liverpool city council to underwrite contingencies on the Mersey Tram Line; and what the sources of the (a) formal and (b) informal advice were.

Derek Twigg: It would not be in the public interest to divulge the Department's legal advice. It is important that the Department can receive confidential legal advice as and when necessary to inform its decisions.

Merseytram

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last discussed the future of Merseytram Line 1 with (a) Liverpool city council and (b) Merseytravel; and what issues were discussed.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 8 November 2005
	I met a delegation of hon. Members, local authority representatives and members of the Merseyside PTA on Monday 14 November 2005. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I have given today to the hon. Member for Knowsley, North and Sefton, East (Mr. Howarth).

Motorways

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which environmental specialists he has consulted in relation to proposed limit values for environmental noise produced by motorways.

Stephen Ladyman: No environmental specialists have been consulted on the environmental noise limit values specifically related to motorway noise as work has not yet commenced.

Motorways

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what limit values for environmental noise produced by motorways have (a) been proposed and (b) are under consideration.

Stephen Ladyman: No environmental noise limit values specifically related to motorway noise have been considered or are currently proposed. Consultations on legislation to implement the Environmental Noise Directive (2002/49/EC) are being undertaken by DEFRA. National guidance on intervention levels to be applied within the UK, for the purposes of prioritising actions under future noise action plans, as required by the Directive, is expected in July 2007.

Motorways

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of noise reduction on sections of motorways when (a) all lanes are resurfaced and (b) some lanes are resurfaced; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: Studies carried out on various parts of the strategic road network, including one motorway site, identified noise reductions in the range of 2–4dB(A) at properties in close proximity to the adjacent highway following the resurfacing of all carriageway lanes with quieter surfacing materials. No studies or assessments have been carried out at locations where only part of the carriageway has been resurfaced with such materials.

Network Rail

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much Network Rail spent in (a) 2004 and (b) 2005; and how much it will spend in 2006 on testing new and existing trains in a test track setting.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 21 November 2005
	In 2004 and 2005 Network Rail has not been involved in testing trains on a test track in any of the years in question. Trains are tested by the manufacturer (in the case of new trains) or by the train owner or operating company (in the case of modifications to existing trains). Network Rail is now actively investigating test track sites that will fulfil the needs of the railway in the coming years.

Project Funding

David Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much funding his Department has provided for transport projects in each constituency in England in each year since 2000.

Karen Buck: A breakdown of Department for Transport funding support for projects is not available at constituency level. The Department provides support for transport outside London to local authorities largely through block grants, and it is for the authorities to determine their priorities for spend. The Department's funding support for rail services through Network Rail and franchise agreements is also not available at constituency level.

Rail Franchises

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what costs have been incurred in respect of the tendering process of the (a) Integrated Kent Franchise and (b) Greater Western Franchise; and what the estimated final costs are.

Derek Twigg: Costs for the two year tendering process are shown in the table below. The replacement of these will deliver significant benefits including a fleet of high speed trains operating on CTRL for the Integrated Kent Franchise.
	
		£000
		
			  To date Estimated final cost 
		
		
			 Greater Western 2,000 2,668 
			 Integrated Kent 3,990 4,290

Rail Franchises

Gwyn Prosser: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the cost to his Department has been of (a) the tendering process of the Integrated Kent Franchises and (b) franchise tendering since May 1997; and what the expected final costs are.

Derek Twigg: The cost to the Department for Transport (DfT) to date (and the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) prior to DfT taking over direct responsibility) for the Integrated Kent Franchises franchise replacement is £3,990,000. The final costs are estimated to be £4,290,000.
	The letting of franchises since 1997 has been successively undertaken by the Office of Rail Franchising, the Shadow Strategic Rail Authority, SRA and since July 2005, DfT.
	Franchise tendering costs were part of the general business costs of these organisations and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Rail Franchises

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made by Network Rail of the impact on passenger safety of the proposal to reduce staff hours on stations covered by the Integrated Kent Franchise.

Derek Twigg: Under the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement, there is no obligation for Network Rail to assess the impact of such proposals on passenger safety.

Rail Franchises

Linda Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what costs have been incurred by the review of Northern Rail services; and what the expected final costs are.

Derek Twigg: Costs incurred for the review of the Northern rail franchise up to 21 October 2005 amount to £301,538. The expected final cost is £500,000.

Rail Franchises

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has discussed increasing the number of passengers with the rail franchisees.

Derek Twigg: Ministers and officials at the Department have regular meetings with rail franchisees. Ways of improving performances and encouraging greater use of the network are among the subjects discussed.

Rail Franchises

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many invitations to events have been received by his Department from each rail franchisee during the past (a) 12 months, (b) two years and (c) five years; how many were accepted; and where the events were held.

Derek Twigg: Ministers and departmental officials receive a great many invitations to events organised by or involving rail franchise holders. No central record is maintained of the number of invitations nor of how many are accepted.

Rail Franchises

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what costs have been incurred in respect of the tendering process of the Greater Western Franchise; and what the expected final costs are.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 21 November 2005
	I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I have given him today (UIN 24577).

Railways

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much in subsidy was paid to London and Continental Railways Limited by the Government in each year between 1994 and 2004.

Derek Twigg: London and Continental Railways Limited (LCR) has not received any subsidies. LCR has a concession contract to design and build a new railway and to operate Eurostar services. Government has agreed to contribute to the construction cost of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link by way of grants in accordance with the 1996 Development Agreement. Between 1994 and 2004, these grants totalled £895 million—(£109 million in 2001, £444 million in 2002 and £342 million in 2003).

Railways

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much the Department has spent on Crossrail in the past 12 months; and what percentage has been spent on (a) staff recruitment, (b) technical consultants and (c) other external services.

Derek Twigg: Between 1 November 2004 and 31 October 2005, Cross London Rail Links Limited (CLRLL) was provided with funding of £38,387,000. 50 per cent. of this was provided by the Department and 50 per cent. by Transport for London. I understand from CLRLL that, of this, £281,402 was spent on staff recruitment; £21,811,558 on technical consultants; and £10,986,190 on a range of other external services. The remaining costs of £5,307,580 include staff salaries and day-to-day running costs.
	In addition, between 1 November 2004 and 31 October 2005, the internal Department for Transport unit that deals with Crossrail sponsorship, which includes the Crossrail hybrid Bill team, had costs of £3,499,672. Of this, £2,504,679 was spent on consultants; and £25,657 on other external services, primarily publishing responses to the Environmental Statement. Spending on staff recruitment is not recorded separately. All relevant staff were already employees of the Department for Transport. The remaining costs, £969,336, include staff salaries and day-to-day running costs.

Railways

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many incidents of theft have been reported to the British Transport Police on the rail network in the past (a) 12 months, (b) two years and (c) three years, broken down by rail franchisee.

Derek Twigg: The following table shows the number of thefts of passenger property offences recorded by the British Transport Police on the rail network (excluding London Underground), recorded by rail franchisees and Network Rail over the last three years.
	
		Number of thefts of passenger property offences
		
			 Train operating company/Network Rail 1 November 2002 to 31 October 2003 1 November 2003 to 31 October 2004 1 November 2004 to 31 October 2005 
		
		
			 Arriva Train Wales 388 444 439 
			 c2c 180 214 160 
			 Central Trains 563 586 505 
			 Chiltern Railways 141 183 151 
			 Croydon Tramlink 70 44 34 
			 Eurostar 307 330 301 
			 First Great Western 1,143 1,103 1,024 
			 First Great Western Link 390 352 312 
			 Gatwick Express Ltd. 164 202 160 
			 Great North Eastern Railways 1,162 1,155 1,092 
			 Heathrow Express 48 61 52 
			 Hull Trains Company Ltd. 8 9 8 
			 Island Line Ltd. 1 1 3 
			 London and Continental 31 33 28 
			 Merseyrail 162 167 141 
			 Midland Main Line 361 368 317 
			 Midlands Metro 20 17 13 
			 Network Rail Major Stations 4,565 4,426 3,691 
			 Northern 1,445 1,398 1,330 
			 ONE 628 581 632 
			 ScotRail Railways 541 634 378 
			 Silverlink Train Services 490 450 384 
			 South Eastern 1,602 1,432 1,315 
			 Southern 1,352 1,319 1,104 
			 South West Trains 1,807 1,718 1,547 
			 Thameslink 447 372 294 
			 Tyne and Wear Metro 23 18 16 
			 Virgin Trains 1,931 1,782 1,443 
			 Wessex Trains 182 189 145 
			 West Anglia/Great Northern 851 864 804 
			 Total 21,003 20,452 17,823

Railways

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what targets the Department has set for implementing litter management strategies on the railways.

Derek Twigg: Responsibility for dealing with litter on the railways is shared between Network Rail and Train Operating Companies (TOCs).
	In general, Network Rail is responsible for litter management on the network, for example tracks and embankments. NR has its own operational arrangements and policies relating to litter clearance, consistent with current legislation. TOCs are responsible for litter management on the trains they run and at the stations that they manage.
	Franchise agreements require that TOCs keep their stations in a clean condition. Recently-let franchises include benchmarks relating to cleanliness and repair of trains and stations. TOCs are independently monitored and those that fail to meet benchmarks can be required to take remedial action and may be deemed to be in breach of their franchise agreement.

Railways

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will break down planned investment into the railways during the period of the current spending review period by (a) region and (b) franchisee.

Derek Twigg: The Department does not hold information on Government spending and investment at a regional level. This is primarily because franchise areas often encompass two or more regions and Network Rail is structured on a route by route basis which also serves more than one region.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State made a statement to Parliament on 10 February 2005 setting out Government spending plans for rail as a whole to 2008–09. The latest figures on Government payments to individual Train Operators (TOCs) are set out in appendix 5 of the SRA's annual report and accounts. Payments to individual TOCs in future years will depend on a number of factors including the outcome of negotiations in the franchise replacement process and the operational performance of Network Rail and the TOC in question.

Road Improvements/Maintenance

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the current road improvement work in Coventry, South with particular reference to new road construction.

Stephen Ladyman: The Highways Agency has recently completed an improvement to the A45/A445 Leamington Road junction by providing a new roundabout at Ryton on Dunsmore, near Coventry.
	The agency is now preparing a scheme to create a two level junction at the A45/A46 Tollbar End roundabout and to widen the existing road between Tollbar End and the A45/A46 junction at Stivichall.

Road Improvements/Maintenance

John Penrose: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much funding was allocated to maintenance of (a) motorways, (b) trunk roads and (c) other roads in receipt of central funding in the most recent three years for which figures are available.

Stephen Ladyman: Funds provided for maintaining the strategic road network do not differentiate between motorways and trunk roads. The Highways Agency accounts for the strategic road network on a renewals accounting basis, whereby all work to maintain the existing level of service is classified as resource while maintenance that improves the level of service is considered as capital investment. The figures for the three years to 2005–06 are:
	
		£ million
		
			  2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 
		
		
			 Capital 4 24 39 
			 Resource 744 706 826 
			 Total 748 730 865 
		
	
	Note:
	The resource figure for 2003–04 included £29 million for technology maintenance which in subsequent years is scored as capital.
	For other roads maintained by local highway authorities the Government provides funding in three ways. Funding for routine maintenance (grass cutting, gully clearing, sign cleaning, minor repairs, winter maintenance, street lighting, etc.) forms part of the Revenue Support Grant settlement. Capital funding is provided through the Local Transport Plan settlement for structural renewal work (resurfacing, overlay, bridge strengthening, etc.) PFI credits are provided for individual street lighting and highway maintenance schemes. With the exception of PFI credits and major capital maintenance schemes greater than £5 million, a local authority may spend maintenance funding, capital and revenue, as it wishes, on any service it provides. The figures for the three years to 2005–06 are:
	
		£ million
		
			  2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 
		
		
			 Capital 610 659 661 
			 Major scheme 12 10 — 
			 PFI credits 790 — — 
			 Revenue 2,005 2,055 2,055 
			 Total 3,417 2,724 2,716 
		
	
	The information does not include capital funding for the maintenance of roads in London, which is a matter for the Mayor of London and the Greater London Assembly.

Road Tolls

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans the Government have to introduce a road toll system.

Stephen Ladyman: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 5 July 2005, Official Report, columns 171–74, that we would be taking forward a programme of work which would enable us to take decisions on road pricing in the future, as part of a broader solution to the problem of congestion.

Road Traffic Legislation

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the operation of section 40A of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

Stephen Ladyman: Section 40 A of the Road Traffic Act 1988 is a road safety measure that makes it an offence to use a motor vehicle on a road when the vehicle is in such a condition as to be a danger to any person. The enforcement of this measure is primarily a matter for the police and the Vehicle & Operator Services Agency [VOSA] who carry out regular roadside enforcement checks to ascertain whether a vehicle is being used on a public road in a dangerous condition.

School Crossing Patrols

Nick Herbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the relationship between the current threshold of earnings before income support is affected and school crossing patrols recruitment.

James Plaskitt: I have been asked to reply.
	All aspects of benefit payment, including earnings disregards, are kept under constant review in order to ensure the fair and equitable distribution of benefit and the best use of public funds.
	Any decision to give special disregards to a particular group of claimants is a complex matter with wider implications. We currently have no plans to provide school crossing patrols with any special disregard of earnings within the various income related benefit schemes.
	Recruitment of school crossing patrol is a matter for local authorities. We are not aware of any direct relationship between benefit disregards and recruitment of school crossing patrols.

Surveillance Technology

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what discussions he has had with the Home Office on the application of intelligent surveillance technology;
	(2)  what discussions he has had with Ispotek regarding the application of intelligent pedestrian video surveillance systems;
	(3)  what plans he has for expanded application of intelligent surveillance technology related to the transport network; and if he will make a statement.

Karen Buck: We keep the transport security measures we require under constant review. We are supporting the Home Office's initiative to evaluate intelligent surveillance systems' for a range of applications including use on the transport network.
	Screening technologies are currently judged to offer greater potential. I refer the Hon Member to the statement of 3rd November on planned trials of screening equipment on the London Underground and National Rail network.

Surveillance Technology

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  how much his Department has spent in each of the last five financial years on intelligent surveillance technology; and what the (a) value and (b) nature is of contracts awarded by his Department;
	(2)  if he will list trials which have taken place to date on the use of intelligent surveillance technology related to the transport network.

Karen Buck: DfT has not funded or carried out trials of intelligent surveillance systems on the transport network. To achieve best use of resources, the Department for Transport works in close partnership with other government bodies on counter terrorism science and technology. The Home Office in conjunction with the Security Service coordinate work on the development and evaluation of intelligent surveillance technologies for a wide range of applications. For example the Home Office's Imagery Library of Intelligent Detection Systems' (i-LIDS) project is supporting developers by providing realistic training imagery and evaluating systems to assess their suitability for specific scenarios including transport security applications.

Speeding (Prosecutions)

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many prosecutions for speeding were made in West Lancashire in the last year for which figures are available.

Paul Goggins: I have been asked to reply.
	Within the police force area of Lancashire in 2003 (latest available) there were 7,400 prosecutions for speed limit offences. It is not possible from the data collected centrally to identify the total for West Lancashire. 2004 data will be available early in 2006.

Train Journeys (Environmental Impact)

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the environmental impact of a journey between London and Birmingham by (a) an electric train, (b) a diesel train and (c) a car.

Derek Twigg: The following table compares total emissions of CO 2 ,the main greenhouse gas, and NOxand PM 1 0 the two pollutants of most concern to local air quality, for representative electric and diesel trains and a car travelling between London and Birmingham. Two sets of figures are provided, one detailing the total emissions for the journey, the other detailing emissions per passenger journey assuming average vehicle loadings.
	
		
			  CO 2  (kg) NOx (g) PM 1  0  (g) 
		
		
			 Total journey emissions 
			 Electric train 2,020 4,320 129 
			 Diesel train 1,270 10,800 202 
			 Car 34.2 61.5 2.6 
			 
			 Emissions per passenger 
			 Electric train 5.9 12.5 0.4 
			 Diesel train 9.7 82.9 1.5 
			 Car 21.7 38.9 1.6

Train Operating Companies (Compensation)

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was paid to each train operating company through the Strategic Rail Authority in compensation for loss of revenue during industrial disputes in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004; what the cause was of each dispute; and how each was resolved.[R]

Derek Twigg: The Strategic Rail Authority made payments of £15.65 million in 2003 and £7,630,567 in 2004 under its discretionary power to reimburse Train Operating Companies for loss of revenue due to industrial disputes. Details of the payments made to individual operators are commercially confidential.

Trains (Security Measures)

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the additional security measures announced on 2 November will affect passengers on trains travelling from (a) Bexhill, (b) Battle, (c) Etchingham and (d) Robertsbridge stations.

Derek Twigg: Passenger screening equipment trials are scheduled for the Heathrow Express platforms at Paddington station. These equipment trials will not affect passengers on other routes. Further work is being undertaken regarding additional security equipment trials on the national rail and London Underground networks.

Transport Improvement (London)

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans his Department has to improve transport in South East London.

Karen Buck: Following the creation of the Greater London Authority, Transport for London (TfL), under the London Mayor, is now responsible for the provision of transport services (except national rail) and related issues in London. In July 2004, the Secretary of State for Transport announced a long-term settlement for TfL, which provides a block grant of an average of £2,453 million per year up to 2009–10. This includes support for TfL's plans for prudential borrowing of up to £2.9 billion over this period.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

2012 Olympics

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport who will be permitted to use the Olympic Route Network at the London 2012 Olympics.

Richard Caborn: The London Olympic Bill allows for the establishment of an Olympic Route Network. This network would be on roads between Olympic venues and accommodation and would allow the Olympic Delivery Authority to implement special traffic management measures. There will be no general restrictions on use of the Olympic Route Network.
	However, based on the experience of previous games and their successful use in Sydney and Athens, it is proposed that on part of the Olympic Route Network, where road space permits, there will be Olympic lanes operating in a similar way to bus lanes. At certain times of the day use of these lanes will be restricted, largely to accredited members of the Olympic family. The Olympic family includes athletes, Olympic officials, accredited media and technical personnel.

2012 Olympics

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  how many and what percentage of tickets at the London 2012 Olympics will be reserved for (a) UK residents, (b) corporate sponsors and (c) corporate entertainment;
	(2)  how many and what percentage of tickets for the London 2012 Olympics will be (a) available for public sale and (b) reserved; and for whom tickets will be reserved.

Richard Caborn: The London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) estimates that a total of 9.6 million tickets will be available for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. Out of this total, a certain number of tickets have to be made available for sale to Olympic Family members such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC), International Federations, National Olympic Committees as well as IOC and local sponsors. The precise number of tickets to be made available to these groups will be decided after discussions with the IOC and other relevant parties. It is LOCOG's intention that tickets will be both affordable and distributed on an equitable basis.

BBC Trust

David Mundell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether Scotland will be represented on the proposed BBC trust.

James Purnell: As set out in the BBC Charter Review Green Paper, the trust will need to be able to reflect the interests of a wide range of different UK communities, and include members with the knowledge and expertise to understand and articulate the interests of individual devolved nations. More details will be given in the forthcoming White Paper.

Festivals

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps her Department took to celebrate and promote the events of (a) Ramadan, (b) Diwali and (c) Chinese new year in 2005.

David Lammy: DCMS is a diverse organisation that values its staff as individuals. Although the Department doesn't specifically celebrate religious events such as Ramadan, Diwali and the Chinese new year it does promote them by including in its diversity training the need for staff to be sensitive to colleagues observing different periods of religious observance. We also provide a religious and cultural observance guide and an interfaith calendar which is available to all staff on our intranet site. The Department also has a policy of flexible working. As part of the refurbishment of the Cockspur Street Site there are plans for a dedicated multi-faith prayer room.

Freedom of Information

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many Freedom of Information applications her Department has received; how many have taken more than 20 days to process; and how many of these gave rise to complaints about the time taken.

David Lammy: The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2000 came fully into effect from 1 January 2005, not 2000. In the period 1 January to 30 June 2005 the Department for Culture, Media and Sport received 268 requests for information handled under FOI. Of these (a) in 177 cases a full response was provided within 20 days; (b) in 54 cases a permitted extension to the 20-day deadline was applied to allow for consideration of the balance of public interest; and (c) in 37 cases the 20-day deadline was missed. In the same period, the Department received three complaints requesting an internal review on the timeliness of the Department's handling of a FOI request.
	The Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) is committed to publishing quarterly updates in relation to departmental performance under FOI, including information on both the volume and outcome of requests. The bulletin for the second quarter was published on 30 September 2005 and can be found on the DCA website at http://www.foi.gov.uk/statsapr-jun05.htm and in the Libraries of both Houses. The next bulletin will be published before Christmas, while an annual report will be published in early 2006.

Licensing Act

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her policy is on requirements for (a) elected representatives and (b) members of the public most affected by applications for an extension of licensing hours under the Licensing Act 2003 to be notified of such applications.

James Purnell: Under the Licensing Act 2003 (Premises licences and club premises certificates) Regulations 2005 (No. 42), applicants are required to display a notice prominently at or on the premises and to advertise their application in a local newspaper or newsletter. The 2003 Act also requires that licensing authorities must place details of applications on its licensing register which must be available to the public.
	Nothing in the 2003 Act prevents licensing authorities from taking supplementary action to bring applications to the attention of elected representatives and members of the public who may be affected by applications for an extension of licensing hours but that is a matter for them to decide.
	My Department is committed to monitoring closely how the new regime operates and where the evidence suggests that the system could be more effective, it will consider revising the guidance.

Licensing Act

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make it her policy to place all community amateur sports clubs in band A for the purposes of setting licensing application fees.

James Purnell: The Independent Licensing Fees Review Panel, chaired by Sir Les Elton, is considering whether the licensing fees have been set at a fair level for fee payers, including community amateur sports clubs, while ensuring that licensing authorities can recover their legitimate administration, inspection and enforcement costs.
	The panel will deliver an interim report to Ministers shortly, followed by a Final Report in autumn 2006. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will, in the light of this ongoing work, keep under review the need for any changes to the fees regime.

Licensing Act

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make it her policy to reduce the band A alcohol licence application fee from £100 to £50.

James Purnell: The level of fees under the Licensing Act 2003 are currently being considered by the Independent Licensing Fees Review Panel, chaired by Sir Les Elton. The panel will want to ensure that fee levels are fair to business, non commercial organisations and to other individuals seeking licences, while allowing licensing authorities to recover their legitimate administration, inspection and enforcement costs.
	The panel has received evidence from around 70 stakeholder organisations affected by the new fees regime and will deliver an Interim Report to Ministers shortly. This will be followed by a final report in autumn 2006. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will, in the light of this ongoing work, keep under review the need for any changes to the fees regime.

Sir Christopher Meyer

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether the statements of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary on Sir Christopher Meyer's diaries and his Chairmanship of the Press Complaints Commission represent her policy.

Tessa Jowell: As set out in the Cabinet Secretary's letter to Sir Christopher Meyer's publishers on 4 November, the Government's view is that it is disappointing that a former diplomat should disclose confidences gained as a result of his employment.
	The Press Complaints Commission is an entirely independent body and the appointment of its chairman is not a matter for the Government.

Television Licences

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people have been prosecuted for non-payment of the television licence fee in each constituency of Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

James Purnell: The information requested is not held centrally.

SCOTLAND

Consultants

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps his Department takes to ensure that consultancies do not claim excessive expenses.

David Cairns: When engaging consultancies, the Office would include, as part of its contract, terms and conditions which would provide for reasonable expenses to be reimbursed against receipts. That, in conjunction with appropriately robust contract management arrangements, ensures that consultancies do not claim excessive expenses.

Damages

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the 10 largest amounts of damages paid out by his Department in the last year for which figures are available, indicating in each case the nature of the claim.

David Cairns: The Scotland Office has made no payments of damages in the last year.

Departmental Contracts (Direct Mail)

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many contracts for direct mail were signed by his Department in (a) 2005–06 to date and (b) 2004–05; and what the value was in each case.

David Cairns: The Scotland Office has not signed any contracts for direct mail in 2004–05, or in 2005–06 to date.

Freedom of Information

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many Freedom of Information applications his Department has received; how many have taken more than 20 days to process; and how many of these gave rise to complaints about the time taken.

David Cairns: Departmental performance on Freedom of Information applications, including statistics on both the volume and outcomes of requests, is published quarterly on the Department for Constitutional Affairs website at www.foi.gov.uk. The bulletins for January to March and April to June are available in the Libraries of both Houses and at http://www.foi.gov.uk/statsapr-jun05.htm and http://www.foi.gov.uk/statsjan-mar05.htm. The next bulletin will appear before Christmas, and an annual report will be published in early 2006. We are not aware of any complaints about the time taken to respond to requests.

Maladministration

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many payments for maladministration have been made in each of the last five years by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

David Cairns: The Scotland Office has made no payments for maladministration in the last five years.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Best Value

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister why the Government has not collated information on Best Value performance indicators (a) 127a, (b) 127b and (c) 127c in 2005–06.

Phil Woolas: Following a review and consultation, the Home Office decided to delete the sub-measures related to this Best Value Performance Indicator (BVPI) for the police with effect from 1 April 2004 because the data was judged to be unreliable. This is because it required both the person reporting the offence and the police officer recording it to make a series of subjective judgments. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister carried out a fundamental review of all the BVPIs last year and it was decided to delete the sub-measures for local authorities with effect from 1 April 2005 for the same reason. The headline indicator (number of violent crimes per 1,000 population) continues to be collected.

Best Value

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the (a) outturn and (b) targets set for each local authority were for Best Value Performance Indicators (i) 126, (ii) 127a-d, (iii) 128, (iv) 174, (v) 175 and (vi)176 in 2004–05.

Phil Woolas: The data for these Best Value Performance Indicators is currently being audited. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister intends to publish it on 15 December on a dedicated website: www.bvpi.gov.uk. Local authorities set their own targets for each of these indicators in 2004–05. Information on local targets is not collated centrally.

Contracts

Bob Spink: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the title and value of consultancy contracts commissioned (a) by and (b) in respect of Castle Point Borough Council in each of the last five years, broken down by consultancy.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) does not hold information on contracts that Castle Point may have let directly. ODPM has let the following contracts:
	
		
			 Title Consultancy Firm Value £ Financial Year 
		
		
			 Castle Point Recovery Plan—local government engagement. Price Waterhouse Coopers 101,000 2004–05

Contracts

Paul Burstow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what guidance he has issued to public authorities on using contract terms to ensure that contractors comply with human rights legislation.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) published on 4 November a Guidance Note titled Guidance on Contracting for Services in the light of the Human Rights Act 1998. This is accessible from the ODPM's website at http://odpm.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1161370.
	Recent conflicting legal decisions have left public authorities and contractors unsure whether or not the users of services contracted-out to non-public sector organisations are covered by the Human Rights Act 1998. The Guidance suggests that protection equivalent to that which would be offered by the Human Rights Act can be obtained by the procuring public authority specifying in the service contract the levels of performance required.
	The intended audience is local authorities, housing associations, organisations for older people and those with disabilities, and other government departments, but the guidance will be of relevance to all public contracting authorities. However, when acting on the Note, public authorities should take their own professional legal and procurement advice to ensure compliance with the Human Rights Act and public procurement law.

Council Spending

Colin Challen: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will introduce guidelines for town parish councils on spending; and if he will assess the merits of capping the expenditure of such councils if they exceed the limits he imposes on major authorities.

Phil Woolas: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister expects town and parish councils to budget prudently and consult their residents about spending plans before setting their precept. Under current legislation there is no provision for capping parishes or issuing statutory guidance to them on their budgets. There are no plans to amend the legislation, but we will keep the situation under review.

e-Enablement

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which services local government has e-enabled; and what level of take-up has been achieved for each service, broken down by local authority.

Phil Woolas: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's (ODPM) target is for 100 per cent. of local government services to be e-enabled by 31 December 2005. Local authorities are currently on course to deliver this target. The average local authority deals with over 750 individual services which may be accessed over a number of channels by citizens, including face-to-face, telephone and web. No data is kept on levels of take-up for individual services. As part of the ODPM's strategy to support councils increase citizens' use of e-government, on 11 November, the Minister for Local e-Government announced details of a National Take-Up Campaign for local e-services which is due to be launched in January 2006.

Fire Services

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many (a) genuine and (b) malicious false alarm fire emergency calls have been received in Leeds North West in each year since 1997.

Jim Fitzpatrick: No data are available on false fire alarms for the Leeds North West constituency. The information tabled below relates to the area covered by Leeds City Council and has been provided by the West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue service.
	The information on genuine false alarms includes those due to apparatus failure as well as calls made in good faith by members of the public.
	
		Leeds City Council
		
			  Genuine false fire alarms Malicious fire 
			  Apparatus Good intent false alarms 
		
		
			 1997 3,758 1,828 2,370 
			 1998 3,680 1,708 1,387 
			 1999 3,726 1,825 851 
			 2000 3,907 1,685 851 
			 2001 4,100 1,825 877 
			 2002 4,307 1,780 816 
			 2003 4,503 1,983 655 
			 2004 4,551 1,615 723 
		
	
	Source:
	West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service.

Fire Services

Angela Watkinson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when defibrillators will be available (a) an all fire appliances and (b) in all fire stations; and when all personnel will be trained to use them.

Jim Fitzpatrick: These are matters for each Fire & Rescue Authority to consider working in partnership with their local Ambulance Service NHS Trust where appropriate.
	The latest draft Fire and Rescue National Framework 2006–2008 makes clear the Government's wish to see Fire and Rescue Authorities working with other providers to improve life safety through the use of defibrillation equipment and by implementing co-responder schemes. Furthermore, as part of the Coronary Heart Disease National Service Framework, the Department of Health continues to roll out a National Defibrillator Programme. There are already over 700 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in public places. An additional 221 AEDs have been allocated to fire & rescue services.

Fire Services

Angela Watkinson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the daily cost of (a) the West Midlands firefighters strike and (b) using Army personnel to provide services.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Funding the strike by firefighters in the West Midlands is the responsibility of West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority. It is for that body to make appropriate estimates of costs and arrangements for payment. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will reimburse the Ministry of Defence's additional costs and will seek their own reimbursement from the West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority. Given the unforeseen and open-ended nature of the task, the Ministry of Defence has been unable to provide estimates of the likely costs of Armed Forces personnel at this stage. The information will be given to West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority as soon as it is available. In the meantime, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is working closely with the Ministry of Defence and West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority to keep costs as low as possible.

Fire Services

Angela Watkinson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when funding will be made available to the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority to cover the additional costs of resilience following the bombings in London on 7th July.

Jim Fitzpatrick: In addition to its core funding, which it receives from the Greater London Authority, the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA) has received £606,000 for the 2005–06 financial year as a direct grant, for the co-ordination of emergency planning on behalf of all London local authorities. This represents an increase of 299 per cent. on the funding level of the previous year. In light of this, no specific extra funding has been available to LFEPA to cover the cost of responding to the 7 July attacks. Government has of course made a significant contribution to these costs in other areas.

Fire Services

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the estimated cost is of the installation of Firelink in the regional fire control centres.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Cost information relating to the Firelink and the FiReControl infrastructure procurements is commercially sensitive until contracts have been signed.

Freedom of Information

Roger Williams: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many Freedom of Information applications his Department has received; how many have taken more than 20 days to process; and how many of these gave rise to complaints about the time taken.

Jim Fitzpatrick: In the period from 1 January 2005 to 30 June 2005, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister received 575 Freedom of Information applications of which 173 took longer than 20 days to process. Of the latter number 27 were legitimately extended to allow for consideration of the public interest test, as allowed for in the Act. These figures can be calculated from table 2 of the Department for Constitutional Affairs' publications, Freedom of Information Act 2000, Statistics on Implementation in Central Government, Ql January—March 2005 and Q2 April—June 2005".
	The Department for Constitutional Affairs is committed to publishing quarterly updates in relation to departmental performance under FOI, including information on both the volume and outcomes of requests. The bulletin for the second quarter was published on 30 September 2005 and can be found on the DCA website at http://www.foi.gov.uk/statsapr-jun05.htm and in the Libraries of both Houses. The next bulletin will be published before Christmas, whilst an annual report will be published in early 2006.
	Only three of the requests for information the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has received have given rise to complaints about delays in processing.

Government Office for London

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proportion of the (a) neighbourhood management pathfinders, (b) neighbourhood wardens and (c) Community Learning Chest funding stream from the Government Office for London was made available to the London Borough of Croydon in 2004–05.

Phil Woolas: There are five neighbourhood management pathfinders in London in the Boroughs of Camden, Westminster, Southwark, Greenwich and Waltham Forest. There is no neighbourhood management pathfinder in Croydon.
	The neighbourhood wardens scheme ended in 2003–04. However, total funding in London for street crime warden schemes in 2004/05 was £4,403,993 of which Croydon received £238,918.
	In 2004–05 the Community Empowerment Network (CEN) in Croydon received funding of £243,139 under the Single Community Programme. Of that the CEN allocated £19,850 to Learning Activities (formerly the Community Learning Chest), and spent £6,465. Total Single Community Programme funding available in Londonin 2004/05 was £9,343,811.

Home Information Packs

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  what representations his Department has received from (a) the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and (b) the Environment Agency on whether home information packs should include contaminated land reports;
	(2)  whether home information packs will be required to include contaminated land reports.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently consulting on draft regulations that will specify the contents of the home information pack. The draft regulations authorise, but do not require, the inclusion of a contaminated land search in the home information pack. The consultation ends on 30 December 2005.

Housing

David Howarth: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much housing revenue account subsidy was provided to each local authority in England in 2004–05.

Yvette Cooper: A table with the Housing Revenue Account Subsidy entitlement for each local authority in 2004–05 has been made available in the library of the House. These figures are subject to audit.

Housing

Margaret Moran: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many (a) local authority stock and (b) private sector empty homes there were in Luton in each of the last five years.

Yvette Cooper: The total number of vacant dwellings by tenure in Luton for each of the last five years is tabled below:
	
		Number of empty homes in Luton
		
			  2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 
		
		
			 Local authority (LA) 108 84 106 95 165 
			 Registered Social Landlord (RSL) 46 44 44 58 54 
			 Other public 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Private sector (non-RSL) 2,302 2,063 1,942 1,994 1,800 
			 Total 2,456 2,191 2,092 2,147 2,019 
		
	
	Source:
	For years 2001 and 2002 all tenure figures above come from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix except for the RSL tenure type which comes from the Housing Corporation's Regulatory Statistical Return.
	For the years 2003 to 2005 the figures above are based on three sources: Total from ODPM's Council Tax Base 1 return; LA and Other" public sector tenures from ODPM's Housing Strategy Statistical return; RSL tenure from Housing Corporation's Regulatory Statistical Return; and the private sector (non-RSL) is obtained by subtracting all these three separate tenure figures from the total.

Housing

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he is taking to provide affordable housing in Kettering constituency.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, through our sponsorship, works closely with the Housing Corporation to provide affordable housing.
	The Housing Corporation announced their biggest ever investment programme of £3.3 billion for 2004–06 to boost the number of key worker homes. As part of the programme £400 million was made for key worker homes in the growth areas funding 9,700 homes. Of this £86,274,652 will be allocated to the Milton Keynes and South Midlands growth area creating 2575 homes.
	In Kettering a programme to provide 334 new affordable homes, including 177 rented units and 157 shared ownership/low-cost home ownership units, from 2004–06 has been agreed and £7,140,000 is being invested in this.
	In addition, the Housing Corporation is negotiating a bidding round with housing authorities for further provision of affordable housing in 2006–07.
	In addition future growth will have affordable homes incorporated into the developments and we are working with developers to increase rates of affordable housing provision through other vehicles such as funding through section 106 programmes.

Housing

Michael Foster: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many council homes were sold under the right-to-buy scheme in Worcester in each year since 1980.

Yvette Cooper: The numbers of council properties sold under the right-to-buy scheme by Worcester Borough Council in each financial year since 1979–80 as reported by Worcester are tabled below.
	
		
			 Financial year RTB Sales Financial year RTB Sales 
		
		
			 1979–80 0 1992–93 44 
			 1980–81 0 1993–94 46 
			 1981–82 118 1994–95 70 
			 1982–83 136 1995–96 40 
			 1983–84 197 1996–97 47 
			 1984–85 112 1997–98 71 
			 1985–86 137 1998–99 82 
			 1986–87 108 1999–00 99 
			 1987–88 161 2000–01 95 
			 1988–89 140 2001–02 122 
			 1989–90 170 2002–03 116 
			 1990–91 62 2003–04 109 
			 1991–92 44 2004–05 0 
		
	
	Source:
	Quarterly returns (P1B) to ODPM from local authorities.

Housing

Paul Burstow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the results of the next English House Condition Survey will be available.

Yvette Cooper: The headline results for 2003 from the survey were published in March 2005 (English House Condition Survey: Key Findings for 2003) and are available from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website (www.odpm.gov.uk/ehcs). The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister intends to publish the 2004 results to a similar timetable during 2006.

Local Authority Funding

Mark Hunter: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  what proportion of social services departments in local authorities in England he expects will overspend their budgets in the financial year 2005–06; and whether the revenue support grant for 2006–07 will take such overspends into account;
	(2)  whether projected deficits in local authority social services departments in 2005–06 will be taken into account in the forthcoming revenue support grant for local authorities with responsibility for social services departments.

Phil Woolas: Information on deficits or surpluses in local authority service budgets for the current financial year are not held centrally, and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Projected overspends or deficits are not taken into account in distributing formula grant.

London Governance

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the Government expects to publish a consultation paper on reform of London governance; and whether the Government expects to make an announcement on possible reforms before the 2006 London borough elections.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Government will publish a consultation paper on proposals for additional powers and responsibilities for the Mayor of London and the London Assembly in the next few weeks, and will announce a final package of proposals as soon as possible following the end of the consultation period.

Neighbourhood Renewal

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proportion of the Neighbourhood Renewal Capacity Building Fund funding stream from the Government Office for London was made available to the London Borough of Croydon in 2004–05.

Phil Woolas: There is no such fund as the Neighbourhood Renewal Capacity Building Fund.

Social Services Funding

Neil Turner: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the social services formula share is in 2005–06 per (a) younger adult, (b) child, (c) elderly person and (d) person in (i) Inner London local authorities, (ii) Outer London local authorities, (iii) English metropolitan authorities outside London, (iv) Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council area, (v) Salford City Council area, (vi) Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council area, (vii) South Tyneside Council area, (viii) Leeds City Council area and (ix) Wolverhampton City Council area.

Phil Woolas: The table below shows the data requested.
	
		
			  Personal Social Services for younger adults FSS per person aged 18 to 64 (£ per person aged 18 to 64) Personal Social Services for Children FSS per person aged 0 to 17 (£ per person aged 0 to 17) Personal Social Services for Older People FSS per person aged 65 and over (£ per person aged 65 and over) Total Personal Social Services FSS per person (£ per person) 
		
		
			 Inner London Boroughs including the City of London 212.04 1,141.53 1,385.83 519.66 
			 Outer London Boroughs 134.21 498.33 858.63 312.52 
			 Metropolitan Districts 126.04 406.49 860.18 305.85 
			 Wigan 109.30 295.17 880.77 263.99 
			 Salford 142.48 471.94 1,021.78 355.46 
			 Knowsley 145.43 595.74 1,062.50 397.77 
			 South Tyneside 134.12 467.19 902.12 347.39 
			 Leeds 121.32 358.01 762.24 271.72 
			 Wolverhampton 134.11 453.09 934.74 342.46

Spatial Address Infrastructure

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the suspension of negotiations between the Improvement and Development Agency and Ordnance Survey on the production of a National Spatial Address Infrastructure.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister published proposals for a National Spatial Address Infrastructure (NSAI) involving a partnership between Improvement and Development Agency and Ordnance Survey on 26 May 2005.
	As announced on 11 August, the Improvement and Development Agency and Ordnance Survey were not able to reach agreement over the terms of the establishment of the NSAI.
	Officials from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister are continuing to work with interested parties to investigate possible ways forward.

Spatial Address Infrastructure

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the (a) total expenditure to date has been and (b) projected future expenditure is on the production of a National Spatial Address Infrastructure.

Jim Fitzpatrick: (a) Total cost of external consultants working on a National Spatial Address Infrastructure (NSAI) in 2004–05 was £23,750. A total of £22,500 has been or is expected to be spent in 2005–06.
	(b) In terms of forecast expenditure, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has only specifically allocated budget to the NSAI in the financial year 2005–06; this was £2.3m as notified in the public prospectus launched in May 2005. Because Ordnance Survey and the Improvement and Development Agency could not reach agreement over the way forward, it is not certain that this funding will be required.

Standards Board

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what Standards Board cases have been considered by the High Court in the last five years in which all proceedings are complete; and what the judgement was in each case.

Phil Woolas: The Standards Board was established in March 2001.
	Details of High Court cases, and the judgement in each case are as follows:
	R (on the application of Hathaway) v Ethical Standards Officer
	Appeal date 13 May 2004
	The appeal was dismissed.
	Murphy v ESO of the Standards Board for England
	Appeal date 19, 28 October 2004
	The appeal against the decision was dismissed; the appeal against the sanction was allowed, and reduced to a 4 month suspension.
	Sloam v Standards Board for England
	Appeal date 25 Jan 2005
	The appeal was dismissed.
	Scrivens v Ethical Standards Officer
	Appeal date 14 March 2005
	The appeal was dismissed.
	Sanders v Kingston
	Appeal date 19 and 20 May 2005
	The High Court adjudged the Adjudication Panel's decision was correct, but judged the sanction of 2 years disqualification to be excessive, and quashed it, due to the period of disqualification already served by the councillor prior to the appeal being heard.
	Adami v Ethical Standards Officer
	Appeal date 28 June 2005
	The High Court found that the reasons given for Adjudication Panel's decision were deficient, overturned the decision and quashed the sanction (it did not deal with the substance of the decision). The Standards Board is currently appealing the High Court decision to the Court of Appeal.
	Gill v Ethical Standards Officer
	Appeal date 26 July 2005
	The High Court quashed the sanction of the Adjudication Panel, and reduced Cllr Gill's 1 year disqualification to 3 months suspension, on the grounds that the Panel had not correctly applied its sanctions guidance.
	Sanders v Ethical Standards Officer
	Appeal date 1 Sep 2005
	The High Court adjudged the Adjudication Panel's decision was correct, but judged the sanction of 18 months disqualification to be excessive, and quashed it, due to the period of disqualification already served by the councillor prior to the appeal being heard.

Valuation Office Agency

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 11 November 2005, Official Report, column 777W, on the Valuation Office Agency, what powers the Agency and its agents have to fine residents who refuse entry.

Phil Woolas: None.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Angola

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the political situation in Angola.

Ian Pearson: After three decades of civil war leading to a severe humanitarian crisis, Angola is currently in the process of formulating a new constitution and creating the structures and environment for the holding of democratic elections in 2006. The Government supports Angola in its transition to democracy. The Government is providing a 8.5 million development assistance programme to Angola which includes funding for a project to strengthen the capacity of electoral stakeholders, such as civil society and the media, and another to look at conflict management.

BBC (Foreign Language Broadcasts)

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the BBC with regard to the ending of Central and Eastern European language radio broadcasts.

Jack Straw: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) was consulted about the BBC World Service (BBCWS) proposals, including at the Annual Ministerial meeting which my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Lord Triesman of Tottenham) chaired. I consented to the closures.
	Closing some radio services is one part of a major reprioritisation. The resources released will be reinvested in line with BBCWS' overall future strategy, which includes new online services and Arabic TV. BBCWS believes these changes will lead to an increase in its global audience and impact.

China

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on allegations of mistreatment of Christians in Xinjiang Province, China; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: We are aware of recent allegations of mistreatment of Christians in Xinjiang. Freedom of religious belief was a theme of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue on 24 October. The EU raised concerns about restrictions on freedom of religion and made clear its view that China's regulations are not compatible with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which China has signed and is working towards ratifying.

Cyprus

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of Turkish Cypriot proposals to protect the environment and provide sustainability by directives controlling building in North Cyprus, with particular reference to protecting Greek Cypriot-owned land from development; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: Neither my right. hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary nor I have seen detailed proposals by the Turkish Cypriots to control building in north Cyprus, but we welcome any measures that will help to tackle the problem of environmental degradation. Effective protection of the environment in north Cyprus is in the interests of both communities and we strongly support action in this area.
	However, the complex issues surrounding the question of property ownership in Cyprus remain an integral part of a comprehensive settlement and can only be fully addressed in this context. This government remains committed to pursuing such a settlement with both communities.

Departmental Finance

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the real terms percentage increase in allocated resources for his Department (a) was for the period 199798 to 200405 and (b) is estimated to be between 200506 and 200708 (i) for each period and (ii) for each year.

Jack Straw: The real terms percentage increase in allocated resources for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is shown below:
	
		Real terms percentage incrase(18)(a) 199798 to 200405
		
			  199798 199899 19992000 200001 200102 200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 Allocated Resource ( million)(19) 1,144.4 1,131.0 1,209.2 1,274.6 1,439.6 1,657.7 1,708.4 1,797..3 
			 (i) Year on Year increase   4.8 4.1 10.2 11.6 0.4 3.0 
			 (ii) Increase for period 199798 to 20040533.7 
		
	
	
		(b) 200506 to 200708
		
			  200506 200607 200708 
		
		
			 Allocated Resource ( million)(20) 1,794.8 1,702.4 1,739.4 
			 (i) Year on year increase 0 0 0 
			 (ii) Increase for period 200506  to 200708   0 
		
	
	(18)The figures have been deflated using the GDP deflators produced by HM Treasury on 28 September 2005, to calculate the real terms increases.
	(19)The Allocated Resource shown here is the final budget for the year approved by Parliament through the supply process, available in the House of Commons Library. Figures from 199798 to 200405 are not directly comparable because the basis of government accounting was changed in 200102 with the switch from cash accounting to resource accounting and budgeting. This overstates total resources in 200405 compared with 199798.
	(20)The Allocated Resource shown for 200506 is the Winter Supplementary Estimate which is currently being considered by Parliament. Figures for 200607 and 200708 are estimates based on the 2004 Spending Review outcome. 200607 and 200708 figures underestimate total FCO resources because they do not include the conflict prevention expenditure that is transferred between conflict prevention pool partners (FCO, the Ministry of Defence and the Department for International Development) annually. 247.9m of conflict prevention expenditure is included in 200506 compared to only 74m in 200607 and in 200708.

Ethiopia

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to persuade the Ethiopian Government to implement the demarcation agreement on the border with Eritrea.

Ian Pearson: We have consistently urged the Ethiopian Government to accept the Boundary Commission's ruling and appoint Field Liaison Officers to work with the Commission on the demarcation of the border. Prime Minister Meles' initiative in November 2004 to accept the Boundary Commission's ruling in principle was a helpful step forward. We will continue to support international efforts aimed at securing full implementation of the ruling.

Ethiopia

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the number of British UN peacekeepers on duty on the Ethiopia/Eritrea border.

Ian Pearson: There are currently no British troops in the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea. We continue to work closely with the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations and with other Security Council members to support and improve peacekeeping capacity, including through training and capacity building initiatives within the UN organisation itself and with member states and regional organisations.

EU Energy Policy

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the common EU energy policy proposed by the Prime Minister at the Hampton Court informal summit.

Douglas Alexander: As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister set out at the European Parliament on 26 October 2005, a common EU energy policy should focus not on new regulatory barriers but on obtaining a genuinely open energy market, on dialogue at a European level with key suppliers and on clean technologies, energy efficiency, and source diversification to meet the challenges of global warming. Work in several of these areas is already under way and will be discussed at the Energy council on 1 December 2005. The Commission will provide an interim report on follow-up to Hampton Court at the December European council with further discussion on the basis of full reports in 2006.

EU Finance

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the objectives are of (a) the EU Growth Adjustment Fund and (b) the EU Global Adjustment Fund; from which part of the EU budget each fund is financed; how much of the financing of each fund will be made by the UK; what proportion of each fund will be spent in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The objectives of the Growth Adjustment Fund, which the Commission proposed in February last year, are set out in the Government's explanatory memorandum on COM(2004)101, available in the Library of the House. It is no longer under active discussion.
	The objectives of the Globalisation Adjustment Fund, which the Commission proposed in October this year, are set out in the Commission's MEMO/05/386, which has also been made available in the Library of the House. The details of how any such fund would operate or be financed are being discussed with all EU partners, and my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary will update Parliament on progress in due course.

EU Finance

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the proposal for a growth adjustment fund proposed in COM(2004) 101; on what occasions the proposal came before (a) the Committee of Permanent Representatives, (b) the Council of the European Union and (c) the European Council; whether the Government (i) supported and (ii) opposed the proposal at each occasion it came before these institutions; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The Government's position on the Commission's proposals of February last year, including the Growth Adjustment Fund, remains that set out in its explanatory memorandum on COM(2004)101 and COM(2004)487, available in the Library of the House, The Government have taken this position in all fora in which the EU budget for 20072013 has been discussed. My right hon. Friend, the Foreign Secretary, will update Parliament in due course on progress in the negotiations.

Foreign Decorations

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the criteria are for allowing (a) current and (b) former service personnel to (i) accept and (ii) wear medals offered by foreign governments in respect of past campaigns.

Jack Straw: holding answer 21 November 2005
	The criteria for considering whether foreign awards and decorations may be accepted and worn are contained in the Rules Governing the Accepting and Wearing of Foreign Orders, Decorations and Medals by Citizens of the United Kingdom and Her Overseas Territories. I set out as follows the Rules and will place copies in the Library of the House. In addition, the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals is currently considering a paper from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office relating to a review of the rules.
	Rules governing the acceptance and wearing of Foreign Orders, Decorations and Medals by citizens of the United Kingdom and her overseas territories
	These rules set out the circumstances under which a citizen of the United Kingdom or her overseas territories (UK citizen) may be granted The Sovereign's permission to accept and wear an Order, Decoration or Medal (foreign award) conferred by a Head of State or Government of a foreign country. Head of Government of a Commonwealth country of which The Sovereign is not Head of State and certain international organisations (collectively referred to as foreign state).
	Principles
	1. No UK citizen 1 may accept and wear a foreign award without the Sovereign's permission. Such permission must be sought as soon as there is an indication that an award may be offered.
	2. The granting of permission for a UK citizen to accept an award offered by a foreign state will only be considered if the award recognises specified services rendered to the interests of that foreign state.
	3. Permission will not be given for UK citizens to accept a foreign award if they have received, or are expected to receive, a UK award for the same services.
	4. Acceptance of a foreign award does not mean that the UK will make a reciprocal offer directly or indirectly associated with the UK recipient
	Permission
	5. Permission to wear a foreign award, if granted, will be either:
	unrestrictedallowing the award to be worn on any occasion, or
	restrictedallowing the award to be worn only on particular occasions associated with the foreign state that conferred it.
	6. The grant of permission, whether unrestricted or restricted, will be conveyed by letter to the UK citizen concerned from the Sovereign's Private Secretary.
	Application
	7. A foreign state wishing to confer an award on a UK citizen is expected to ascertainthrough its Diplomatic Representative at The Court of St. James'swhether permission to accept an award would be likely to be given. Such requests for clearance will only be entertained in respect of awards given by Heads of State or Governments recognised as such by the Sovereign.
	8. Requests made by certain international organisations (e.g. the United Nations and NATO) in respect of service in operations under their auspices should be made to the Defence Services Secretary in the Ministry of Defence.
	9. Requests made in respect of services rendered more than five years previously, or in connection with events in the distant past (e.g. commemorative awards), will not be entertained.
	10. Requests for clearance meeting the requirement of these regulations will be submitted to The Sovereign for consideration by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairswho will be under no obligation to make such a submission if the application has not been made as indicated in paragraphs 7 and 8 above.
	11. Requests for clearance in the case of foreign awards conferred by private societies or institutions will not be granted.
	Guidelines
	12. Each request will be treated on a case by case basis. The fact that a similar application has been approved in the past should not be taken as implying that permission will be granted.
	13. The grant of unrestricted permission will be considered in the case of foreign awards conferred for services:
	related to the saving or attempting to save life 2 ;
	by any member of the UK Armed Forces or other UK official on exchange, attachment or loan to a foreign state who is involved in a military operation or an emergency 3 on behalf of that country, state or organisation;
	by any member of the UK Armed Forces serving in a UK Unit within a bi-lateral force under the command of the other country who renders especial service to the country's forces in a military operation or emergency; or
	in military operations under the auspices of an international organisation (e.g. the United Nations).
	14. The grant of restricted permission will be considered in the case of foreign awards conferred:
	on the occasion of and in connection with a State or official visit by a Head of State or Government of a foreign or Commonwealth country;
	in connection with a State visit by the Sovereign; or
	to members of Special Missions when The Sovereign is represented at a coronation, wedding or funeral or other similar occasion: or on any Diplomatic Representative when specially accredited to represent The Sovereign on such occasions.
	15. Other than in circumstances described in paragraphs 13 and 14 above, permission, unrestricted or restricted, will not be granted to 5 :
	Crown servants generally,
	in particular, to Heads or other members of HM Diplomatic or Consular establishments abroad when leaving their postswhether on transfer or on final retirement; and
	senior officials, military and civilian, visiting foreign states.
	16. No permission is needed for the acceptance of any foreign award if it is designed not to be worn.
	1 This includes British subjects and British-protected persons (BPPs). BPPs may accept awards conferred by their Rulers.
	2 Including medals issued by life saving societies and institutions (but these must be worn on the right breast).
	3 It will be for the UK to decide if the operations or emergency is of the standard to fall within this criterion.
	4 This does not apply to his or her staff.
	5 This guidance normally applies equally to the spouses or partners of Crown servants.

Foreign Decorations

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on ex-service personnel (a) receiving and (b) wearing the campaign medal being offered by the Government of Malaysia.

Jack Straw: holding answer 21 November 2005
	The offer by the Government of Malaysia to present the Pingat Jasa Malaysia medal, a commemorative rather than a campaign medal, is being considered by the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals under the Government's rules governing the accepting and wearing of Foreign Awards, Decorations and Medals by British citizens. The Committee is also reviewing these rules.

Gibraltar

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit Gibraltar.

Douglas Alexander: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary currently has no plans to visit Gibraltar, but hopes to meet Peter Caruana, Gibraltar's Chief Minister, in London shortly.

Royal Visit (USA)

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 17 November 2005, Official Report, column 1488W, what contact Hank Dittmar and Katherine Horley of the Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment had with his Department's staff during their Royal Highnesses' recent official visit to the United States; which events organised by the Government they attended; whether they accompanied their Royal Highnesses on the journey between Washington DC and New York; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The senior visits officer at our embassy in Washington was in e-mail contact with Mr. Dittmar, and met Mr. Dittmar briefly at the National Building Museum event in Washington on 3 November. Mr. Dittmar was one of the guests at the Reception held that evening at our ambassador's residence. There is no record of equivalent contact with Ms Horley.
	Neither Mr. Dittmar nor Ms Horley accompanied their Royal Highnesses on the journey from New York to Washington DC or on any other journeys.

Royal Visit (USA)

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 17 November 2005 to question 26865, what presents whose costs were taken from public funds, other than those given to President and Mrs. Bush, were presented by their Royal Highnesses during their recent visit to the United States; to whom they were given; and who purchased them.

Kim Howells: A number of gifts were presented by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall during the recent visit to the USA whose cost will be met from public funds. These include gifts to dignitaries and people from the host country who played a major part in the organisation of the visit, or were personally attached to their Royal Highnesses during the visit. Small gifts were also presented to Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) staff who were closely connected with the visit. It is current practice for FCO staff to be presented with such a memento, normally a signed photograph or other small object, in recognition of their efforts and hard work during such Royal visits overseas The gifts are purchased on behalf of the household of the Prince of Wales, with the cost reimbursed by the FCO. No gifts were presented to representatives of the Prince of Wales' charities.

Royal Visit (USA)

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 21 November 2005, Official Report, column 1488W, what the present purchased for President Bush from His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales was; who purchased it; where the present was purchased; and whether the cost was charged to (a) the Royal Household and (b) the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Kim Howells: The present was a first edition of a book written by Sir Winston Churchill and was purchased on behalf of the Household of the Prince of Wales from a London book dealer. In line with normal practice the cost will be reimbursed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as sponsoring department.

Royal Visit (USA)

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 17 November 2005 to question 26865, who purchased the present for Mrs. Bush given by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall; where the present was purchased; from whom it was purchased; and whether its cost was charged to (a) the Royal Household and (b) his Department.

Kim Howells: The present was a Highgrove planter pot, purchased on behalf of the household of the Prince of Wales from the Highgrove shop. It was paid for by the Prince of Wales personally.

Tibet

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Chinese government on human rights in Tibet.

Ian Pearson: We regularly raise human rights issues, including Tibet, with the Chinese Government. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and the Chinese Foreign Minister discussed Tibet-related issues at their meetings in New York in September 2005 and in London on 8 November 2005. Tibet was discussed at the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue in October.

Uzbekistan

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the exemption of Islam Karimov and his family from the list of Uzbek officials banned from travelling to the European Union.

Douglas Alexander: We have not ruled out adding further names to the list of those subject to the EU's visa ban. When adopting the measures on 3 October, the EU recognised the need to maintain contacts with Uzbekistan. Inclusion of the President on the list would reduce prospects of continued dialogue. The measures introduced by the EU will be reviewed in the light of developments in Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of the EU travel ban on Uzbek officials; and what assessment he has made of the implications for the ban of Uzbek Interior Minister Almatov's presence in Germany.

Douglas Alexander: The measures announced by the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 3 October in relation to Uzbekistan came into force on 14 November. They clearly demonstrate the profound concern of the European Union (EU) about the situation in Uzbekistan and the EU's strong condemnation of the refusal of the Uzbek authorities to allow an independent international inquiry into the events in Andizhan in May.
	The EU travel ban stands. Almatov's visa was issued before the travel ban came into effect. The travel ban allows for exemptions in cases of urgent humanitarian need. The German authorities checked that the medical case for the visa was urgent before deciding to issue.

Western Sahara

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the numbers of disappeared Sahawis following continuing Moroccan illegal occupation of the Western Sahara.

Kim Howells: The Government have not carried out their own assessment of the number of individuals who have disappeared as a result of the Western Sahara conflict. The Government's position is to encourage the parties to co-operate fully with the International Committee of the Red Cross to account for the missing. We continue to encourage the parties to take concrete measures, within their areas of responsibility, to resolve the outstanding humanitarian issues.
	The Government believe it is necessary to distinguish between the humanitarian and political aspects of this dispute and that resolution of humanitarian questions should not await the conclusion of a political settlement. The Government consider that progress on humanitarian issues would help improve the atmosphere for the political process.

Zimbabwe

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which diplomats from Zimbabwe have been declared persona non grata in each of the last five years.

Jack Straw: None.

Zimbabwe

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what occasions in the last five years he has raised with the Zimbabwe Government the activities of the Zimbabwe Central Intelligence Organisation in the United Kingdom; and what the result was in each case.

Jack Straw: It is not the Government's policy to comment on intelligence matters.

Zimbabwe

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) diplomats and (b) other staff have been located at the Zimbabwe High Commission in London in each of the last five years.

Jack Straw: From 1 January until 17 November 2005 the embassy of Zimbabwe numbered 14 diplomats. There were 14 diplomats in 2004, 13 in 2003 and 15 in both 2002 and 2001. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not require diplomatic missions to inform them about numbers of locally employed staff. However, the embassy of Zimbabwe has informed the FCO that locally employed staff generally number 14 in any year.

Zimbabwe

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had on the political situation in Zimbabwe.

Ian Pearson: We take every opportunity to discuss the crisis in Zimbabwe with our international partners. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary most recently discussed the political situation in Zimbabwe with the United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, on 30 October, and also with the South African Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Zuma, at the EU South Africa Co-operation Council on 7 November.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Child Support Agency

Jimmy Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many families received child maintenance payments in the Lanark and Hamilton, East constituency in (a) 200203, (b) 200304 and (c) 200405; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty to Mr. Jimmy Hood, dated 24 November 2005
	In July you asked a Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive. I am extremely sorry for the delay in providing this reply.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many families benefited from child maintenance payments in the Lanark and Hamilton East constituency in 200203, 200304 and 200405.
	I regret that the information requested cannot be reliably broken down to the level of your constituency.
	My apologies again for the delay in writing to you.

Child Support Agency

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the policy is of the Child Support Agency in relation to the conditions which must be satisfied before a deduction of earnings order is initiated; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: When an employed non-resident parent fails to comply and make regular payments, the Child Support Agency may send a deduction from earnings order (DEO) to their employer.

Child Support Agency

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the use of deduction of earnings orders by the Child Support Agency on employers.

Margaret Hodge: Deduction from earnings orders (DEOs) are an effective method of obtaining maintenance. In September 2005, 19 per cent. of cases had a DEO in place.

Child Support Agency

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many telephone calls to the Child Support Agency from people in Scotland (a) were received, (b) received an engaged tone and (c) were disconnected during the interactive voice response process for the period April 2002 to September 2005 for (i) all calls and (ii) calls relating to cases being progressed on the new computer system;
	(2)  how many calls to the Child Support Agency from people in Scotland were abandoned by (a) agency staff and (b) clients in each month since 2003.

James Plaskitt: The information requested is not available.

Child Support Agency

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what consideration he has given to outsourcing the functions of the Child Support Agency.

James Plaskitt: The Child Support Agency's chief executive, Stephen Geraghty, is currently undertaking a root and branch review of the agency. He will report to Ministers and we will make announcements shortly.

Child Support Agency

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on progress by the Child Support Agency in dealing with its case load backlog.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty to Mr. David Laws, dated 24 November 2005
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make a statement on progress by the Child Support Agency in dealing with its caseload backlog.
	Between January and September 2005, the volume of uncleared applications not cleared across both schemes fell from 362,000 to 333,000, a reduction of 8%.
	Uncleared potential new scheme applications rose from 259,000 in January 2005 to 266,000 in April 2005 before falling to 261,000 in September 2005. Of all potential new scheme applications received, 35% were still awaiting clearance in September 2005, down from 46% in January.
	Work will continue within the Agency to explore ways to reduce the amount of outstanding work in progress.
	I hope you find this response useful.

Child Support Agency

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the Child Support Agency's caseload has been for each quarter of each year from 1997 to the third quarter of 2005; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty to Mr. David Laws, dated 24 November 2005
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the Child Support Agency's caseload has been for each quarter of each year from 1997 to the third quarter of 2005.
	The Child Support Agency caseload figures are detailed in the table below (Quarterly April 1997 to date):
	
		
			  Old scheme New scheme Total 
		
		
			 June 1997 799,000  799,000 
			 September 1997 821,000  821,000 
			 December 1997 834,000  834,000 
			 March 1998 893,000  893,000 
			 June 1998 878,000  878,000 
			 September 1998 923,000  923,000 
			 December 1998 917,000  917,000 
			 March 1999 947,000  947,000 
			 June 1999 1,290,000  1,290,000 
			 September 1999 1,319,000  1,319,000 
			 December 1999 1,320,000  1,320,000 
			 March 2000 1,323,000  1,323,000 
			 June 2000 1,339,000  1,339,000 
			 September 2000 1,338,000  1,338,000 
			 December 2000 1,339,000  1,339,000 
			 March 2001 1,345,000  1,345,000 
			 June 2001 1,350,000  1,350,000 
			 September 2001 1,367,000  1,367,000 
			 December 2001 1,361,000  1,361,000 
			 March 2002 1,353,000  1,353,000 
			 June 2002 1,354,000  1,354,000 
			 September 2002 1,349,000  1,349,000 
			 December 2002 1,349,000  1,349,000 
			 March 2003 1,230,000  1,230,000 
			 June 2003
			 September 2003
			 December 2003
			 March 2004
			 June 2004
			 September 2004
			 December 2004
			 March 2005 965,000 452,000 1,417,000 
			 June 2005 951,000 481,000 1,432,000 
			 September 2005 938,000 511,000 1,449,000 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Caseload is defined as the number of cases that are open and at any stage in the process.
	2.There is currently no robust management information relating to new scheme cases and old scheme cases operating on the new computer system for the years 2003 and 2004.
	3.There are currently 15,000 cases being administered clerically (September 2005). It is not possible to say if these cases are included in the above figures.
	4.Numbers are rounded to the nearest 1,000.
	I hope you find this helpful.

Disability Living Allowance

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many recipients there are of (a) the higher rate of the mobility component, (b) the medium rate of the care component and (c) the higher rate of the care component of disability living allowance, broken down by region;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the number of people who qualify for but do not receive (a) the higher rate of the mobility component, (b) the medium rate of the care component and (c) the higher rate of the care component of disability living allowance, broken down by region.

Anne McGuire: The requested information about the numbers of people receiving the higher rate of the mobility component the middle rate of the care component and the highest rate of the care component of disability living allowance is in the following table. Currently it is not possible to estimate take-up rates for the allowance. Following a recommendation in Meeting DWP's long-term information needs on disability: a feasibility report, (DWP Research report number 267, a copy of which is available in the Library) the Department is commissioning research to test two possible approaches to establish whether it is possible to estimate take-up rates. The results of this research will be available in 2007.
	
		Disability living allowance: numbers of recipients of (a) the higher rate mobility component; (b) the highest rate care component; and (c) the middle rate care component in Great Britain at 31 May 2005 by Government office region
		
			 Government office region Higher rate mobility component Highest rate care component Middle rate care component 
		
		
			 North East 102.2 34.1 44.8 
			 North West 273.0 95.4 135.6 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 168.0 57.9 77.6 
			 East Midlands 118.1 44.2 60.9 
			 West Midlands 158.2 59.8 80.9 
			 East of England 106.6 46.6 69.9 
			 London 391.1 67.9 98.1 
			 South East 132.3 59.8 91.7 
			 South West 108.5 41.1 70.2 
			 Wales 150.3 53.2 58.5 
			 Scotland 183.9 72.1 100.2 
			 Unknown 1.6 0.5 0.8 
			 Total 1,641.9 632.7 889.2 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Figures are in thousands, rounded to the nearest hundred, and exclude cases where payment of the allowance is suspended; for example, because the recipient has been a NHS hospital in-patient for more than four weeks. Totals may not sum due to rounding.
	2.Postcodes are used to allocate recipients to the relevant Government office region. The figures shown against Unknown are those for cases where the postcode is incomplete.
	Source:
	DWP Information Directorate: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study.

Discretionary Housing Payments

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the discretionary housing payment scheme since it was introduced.

James Plaskitt: Assessments of the effectiveness of the discretionary housing payment arrangements have been made in Waves 5 and 6 of the Local Authority Omnibus Surveys. These were published in 2002 as part of DWP's in-house series of reports, numbered 97 and 105 respectively.
	We also commissioned research from the University of Birmingham (Review of Discretionary Housing Payments) to review how these arrangements were working in practice and the formula for distributing the Government's contribution to local authorities. This was published in 2003, as in-house report no. 127. All reports are available in the Library.

Discretionary Housing Payments

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many discretionary housing payment awards were made in each Government office region in each year since 200102; and what the average award was in each region in each year.

James Plaskitt: The available information, broken down by local authority, has been placed in the Library.

Discretionary Housing Payments

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much funding each local authority made available in support of discretionary housing payments in 200405.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available in the format requested. Details of the funding made available to local authorities by way of Government contribution has been placed in the Library.

Discretionary Housing Payments

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much funding was made available by his Department for discretionary housing payments in each Government office region in each year since 200102; how much was made available by his Department in each local authority in 200405; and how much was returned unused in each case.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available in the format requested. The local authority data for 200102 to 200304 has been placed in the Library.

Firework Displays

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the Health and Safety Executive guidelines on public firework displays in relation to incidents during bonfire night celebrations in 2005.

Anne McGuire: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published guidance on putting on firework displays safely. The guidance is kept under review and has been amended when incident investigations or research findings indicate that it is necessary to do so.
	HSE is currently actively assisting Kettering borough council's investigation into the incident at Wicksteed Park. Once the results of the investigation are known HSE will consider what further action is neededincluding whether the guidance requires further amendment.
	HSE will be undertaking an analysis of accident reports for the firework season when these become available, and will consider whether these reveal a need to amend the guidance.

Firework Displays

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate the Health and Safety Executive has made of the number of public firework displays held in England in October and November in each of the last 10 years.

Anne McGuire: holding answer 21 November 2005
	The Health and Safety Executive does not collect information about the number of firework displays held. However, the British Pyrotechnists Association estimate that there are around 5,000 professionally organised displays each year in Great Britain.

Housing Allowances/Benefits

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what impact the introduction of local housing allowances has had on fraud in the pathfinder areas.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available as estimates for fraud are not available at local authority level.
	Local housing allowance evaluation reports published so far suggest that so far there has been very little impact either positive or negative on fraud in the pathfinder areas. These reports are available in the Library.

Housing Allowances/Benefits

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of claimants in the local housing allowance pathfinder areas are in arrears; and what the average percentage of arrears is in non-pathfinder areas.

James Plaskitt: The first survey of local housing allowance claimants in the pathfinder areas after six months of live running found that 13 per cent. of claimants have been at least two weeks behind in paying their rent in the past 12 months. The same survey also found that in the control areas still operating the current housing benefit regime, which is used for the evaluation of the local housing allowance, 15 per cent. of housing benefit claimants in the deregulated private rented sector who receive their benefit directly have been at least two weeks behind in paying their rent in the past 12 months. This difference is not statistically significant.
	Data are not collected centrally for other parts of Great Britain, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Housing Allowances/Benefits

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the lessons learned from those areas piloting the local housing allowance for the private rented sector.

James Plaskitt: The effects of the local housing allowance in the original nine pathfinders remain subject to a rigorous and independent evaluation. The emerging findings from the first six to 15 months operation are encouraging and these have been published and copies are available in the Library. We will continue to assess lessons learned throughout the full evaluation period, which is due to run until the autumn of next year.

Housing Allowances/Benefits

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  if he will publish a consultation paper on his Department's proposals for piloting the local housing allowance in the social rented sector; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  with which (a) local authorities and (b) registered social landlords his Department has had discussions on piloting the local housing allowance in the social rented sector;
	(3)  what funding has been allocated by his Department to piloting the local housing allowance in the social rented sector.

James Plaskitt: While we have been considering the benefits of testing a modified form of the local housing allowance in the social sector, there are at present no firm plans for doing so.
	Discussions take place on a regular basis between departmental officials and representatives of local authorities and registered social landlords on policy development in this area.

Housing Allowances/Benefits

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the local reference rent restrictions on housing benefit were for each property in each locality in flat rate local housing allowance pathfinder areas in 200203.

James Plaskitt: The available information has been placed in the Library.

Housing Allowances/Benefits

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many young housing benefit recipients have been subject to the single room rent restriction in each year since its introduction.

James Plaskitt: The information is in the following table.
	
		Housing benefit recipients subject to single room rent (SRR) restriction in Great Britain
		
			 May Number 
		
		
			 1997 31,600 
			 1998 33,200 
			 1999 24,800 
			 2000 17,900 
			 2001 14,400 
			 2002 11,000 
			 2003 10,700 
			 2004 11,000 
			 2005 12,000 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Figures have been rounded to the nearest 100.
	2.Figures for any non-responding authorities have been estimated.
	3.Housing benefit figures exclude any extended payment cases.
	4.The SRR was introduced in October 1996.
	Source:
	Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System Quarterly 100 per cent. caseload stock-count taken in May 1997 to May 2005.

Housing Allowances/Benefits

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of the standard rate of housing benefit earnings disregard in promoting work incentives.

James Plaskitt: The earnings disregards and income tapers which apply in the calculation of housing benefit act as an incentive for people to take up or stay in work.
	The disregards are designed to achieve a balance between providing an encouragement to part-time work without creating disincentives to full-time work and independence.
	The income tapers ensure that any increase in earnings is not totally lost by an equal reduction in benefits. Generally speaking, although any increase in net earnings reduces the amount of benefit payable, the claimant should see some improvement in their overall financial position.

Housing Allowances/Benefits

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what information is taken into account when making decisions about the levels of housing benefit.

James Plaskitt: Local authorities are required to consider a variety of information when determining the amount of housing benefit a claimant is entitled to. This includes details of the claimant's household, rent, income and capital, together with any information provided by the rent officer. Authorities also need information on any non-dependents living with the claimant, as this can affect the final level of benefit due.

Jobseeker's Allowance

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he proposes to review the rates of jobseeker's allowance.

James Plaskitt: The rate of jobseeker's allowance is increased, along with all other social security benefits, in April each year. The amount of the increase is calculated on the basis of the Rossi index of inflation for the preceding September, with figures rounded to the nearest 5p.

Parliamentary Questions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects to answer questions references (a) 18634, (b) 18784, (c) 18786 to 18789, (d) 19631, (e) 19954, (f) 20162, (g) 21432 to 21434, (h) 21436 to 21450, (i) 21452, (j) 21454, (k) 21581 to 21586, (l) 21590, (m) 21853 to 21857, (n) 21957 and (o) 21960 to 21962 tabled by the hon. Member for Yeovil.

James Plaskitt: My ministerial colleagues and I have replied to 56 (of the 140) questions tabled by the hon. Member since the House returned in October. We will continue to respond to questions as quickly as is practically possible.

Pathways to Work

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the exit figures were from (a) incapacity benefit and (b) severe disability allowance for each quarter in each Pathways to Work pilot area since their commencement.

Anne McGuire: holding answer 10 November 2005
	The available information is in the table.
	
		IB/SDA terminations by Pathways to work area
		
			  November 2003 February 2004 May 2004 August 2004 November 2004 February 2005 May 2005 
		
		
			 Bridgend 2.0 2.0 2.7 2.2 2.3 2.3 1.3 
			 Derbyshire 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.3 3.1 2.9 2.5 
			 East Lancashire 2.1 2.6 2.5 2.5 2.2 2.1 1.6 
			 Essex 3.3 3.6 3.9 4.4 3.7 4.1 2.5 
			 Gateshead and South Tyneside 2.0 1.8 2.0 1.8 2.1 2.2 1.7 
			 Renfrewshire 2.3 2.1 2.4 2.6 2.2 2.3 2.0 
			 Somerset 1.0 1.0 1.3 1.0 0.7 0.9 0.8 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Numbers are rounded to the nearest hundred and are expressed in thousands.
	2.Totals may not sum due to rounding.
	3.Numbers are based on a 5 per cent. sample, and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling variation.
	4.Local authorities and Pathways areas are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant postcode directory.
	5.Pathways to Work pilot areas were introduced from October 2003 (Bridgend, Renfrewshire and Derbyshire) and extended in April 2004 (Gateshead and South Tyneside, Somerset, Essex and East Lancashire). The termination figures cover quarters ending each February, May, August and November, even where Pathways areas were introduced part way through these quarters.
	6.Figures for the latest quarter do not include any late notifications and are subject to major changes in future quarters.
	7.Earlier quarters have been updated to include late notified terminations, including terminations for state pension.
	Source:
	Information Directorate 5 per cent. sample.

Pensioners

Malcolm Rifkind: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his latest estimate is of the number of pensioners who are entitled to pension credit but who are not claiming it.

Stephen Timms: I refer the right hon. and learned Member to the written answer I gave him on 9 November 2005, Official Report, columns 54849W.

Pensioners

Malcolm Rifkind: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his most recent estimate is of the number of single women pensioners living in poverty.

Stephen Timms: The seventh annual Opportunity for all report (Cm 6673) sets out the Government's strategy for tackling poverty and social exclusion and reports progress against a range of indicators.
	The following table shows the number and percentage of single women over state pension age living in households in relative and absolute low income. They show that in 200304 there were 700,000 single women pensioners living in households in relative low income, measured after housing coststhe number in relative low income has fallen by almost a half since 199697.
	
		Relative low income, i.e. based on contemporary income thresholds
		
			  199697 200304 
		
		
			 After housing costs   
			 Number (million) 1.2 0.7 
			 Percentage 37 21 
			 Before housing costs   
			 Number (million) 0.9 0.8 
			 Percentage 26 24 
		
	
	
		Absolute low income, i.e. based on 199697 income thresholds held constant in real terms
		
			  199697 200304 
		
		
			 After housing costs   
			 Number (million) 1.2 0.3 
			 Percentage 37 11 
			 Before housing costs   
			 Number (million) 0.9 0.4 
			 Percentage 26 13 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Figures are for Great Britain.
	2.Data are from the Family Resources Survey based on HBAI methodology.

Pensions

Gisela Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions he has had with the Parliamentary Ombudsmen on the timing of her report on pensions.

Stephen Timms: None.
	The Parliamentary Ombudsman's office has informed officials of the timetable for her report into the security of final salary occupational pension schemes and alleged delays in scheme wind ups. However, we have neither sought, nor had, any influence over the timing of that report. That is a matter entirely for the Ombudsman.
	I understand that the Ombudsman wrote to all hon. Members on 18 November saying that she intends to publish her report before the parliamentary recess on 30 March 2006, and her reasons for that publication date.

School Crossing Patrols

Nick Herbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will extend the higher disregards of earnings for the calculation of income support and minimum income guarantee to include school crossing patrols.

James Plaskitt: All aspects of benefit payment, including earnings disregards, are kept under constant review in order to ensure the fair and equitable distribution of benefit and the best use of public funds.
	Any decision to give special disregards to a particular group of claimants is a complex matter with wider implications. We currently have no plans to provide school crossing patrols with any special disregard of earnings within the various income related benefit schemes.
	Recruitment of school crossing patrol is a matter for local authorities. We are not aware of any direct relationship between benefit disregards and recruitment of school crossing patrols.

Winter Fuel Payments

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make it his policy to extend winter fuel payments to people under 60 years who qualify for (a) middle and (b) higher rate of disability living allowance care component and (c) the higher rate of the mobility component; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: There are no plans to extend the winter fuel payment scheme to disabled people under age 60.
	Help is already available through disability benefits and the disability premium in income-related benefits in recognition of the extra costs, including heating, which disabled people may face.

HEALTH

Advisory Non-departmental Bodies

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if she will list those of her Department's advisory non-departmental public bodies which the Government are required (a) to consult prior to legislative proposals and (b) to publish their response to advice from;
	(2)  which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by her Department have a statutory base; which (a) publish their advice to Government, (b) publish an annual report and (c) lay an annual report before Parliament; and whether it is under a statutory requirement in each instance;
	(3)  which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by her Department (a) hold public meetings, (b) conduct public consultation exercises, (c) conduct consultation exercises with outside commercial interests, (d) publish a register of members' interests, (e) publish agendas for meetings and (f) publish the minutes of meetings; and whether it is under a statutory requirement in each case.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested on the Department's advisory non-departmental public bodies, which the Government are required to consult prior to legislative and to publish their response to advice from is shown in the table.
	The Government are required to:
	
		
			 Name of ANDPB (a) consult these advisory non- departmental public bodies (ANDPBs) prior to legislative proposals  (b) publish their response to advice from these ANDPBs 
		
		
			 Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee (HMAC) Not specifically(21) No 
			 Nursing and Other Health Professions Review Body No Yes 
			 Patient Information Advisory Group Yes(22) No 
			 Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration No Yes 
		
	
	(21)There are certain legislative requirements to consult the appropriate committee, and in some circumstances this is likely to be the HMAC. However, there is no explicit requirement to consult HMAC.
	2This is the case only in respect of section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001.
	The information requested on which advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Department that have a statutory base; which publish their advice to Government, publish an annual report and lay an annual report before Parliament is shown in the table.
	The advisory non-departmental public bodies (ANDPBs) all have a statutory base and publish their advice to Government, publish an annual report and lay an annual report before Parliament as shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Name of ANDPB (a) Publish their advice to Government If so whether under a statutory requirement (b) Publish an annual report If so whether under a statutory requirement (c) Lay an annual report before Parliament If so whether under a statutory requirement 
		
		
			 Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee No No No No No No 
			 British Pharmacopoeia Commission (BPC) No No(22) Yes Yes Yes Yes 
			 Gene Therapy Advisory Committee No No Yes Yes No No 
			 Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee No(23) No Yes(24) Yes Yes(24) Yes 
			 Independent Review Panel for Borderline Substances No No Yes No Yes No 
			 Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation No No(22) Yes No No No 
			 Medicines Commission (will be abolished on 30 October 2005) Yes No Yes No Yes Yes 
			 National Joint Registry Steering Committee No No Yes No No No 
			 Patient Information Advisory Group Yes No Yes No No No 
			 The Advisory Board on the Registration of Homeopathic Products No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 
			 UK Xenotransplantation Interim Regulatory Authority No No No No No No 
			 Unrelated Live Transplant Regulatory Authority No No No No No No 
		
	
	(22)The statutory role of the BPC is to cause to be published the British Pharmacopoeia. This is not published for Government but for sale to the public and industry.
	2This has not specifically been decided yet, and the answer provided is based on precedent with other advisory committees.
	3The Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee Order establishing HMAC came into force on 30 October 2005. The answer provided refers to planned future activity.
	Note:
	ANDPBs may have a statutory base either by provision being made for their existence in law, or by the law putting an obligation on the Secretary of State which is then partly undertaken by an ANDPB set up by the Secretary of State for the purpose.
	The information requested on advisory non-departmental public bodies that hold public meetings, conduct public consultation exercise, conduct consultation exercises with outside commercial interests, publish a register of members' interests, publish agendas for meetings and publish the minutes of meetings is shown in the table. The following advisory non-departmental public bodies (ANDPBs):
	
		
			 Name of ANDPB (a) Hold public meetings Whether under a statutory requirement (b) Conduct public consultation exercises Whether under a statutory requirement (c) Publish a register of members' interests Whether under a statutory requirement 
		
		
			 Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee No No No No No No 
			 Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances No No No No No No 
			 Advisory Committee on Clinical Excellence Awards No No No No No No 
			 Advisory Group on Hepatitis No No No No No No 
			 Committee for Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment No No No No No No 
			 Committee on Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment Yes No Yes No Yes No 
			 Committee on Mutagenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment Yes No Yes No Yes No 
			 Committee on Safety of Devices No No No No No No 
			 Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants No No Yes No Yes No 
			 Expert Advisory Group on Aids No No No No No No 
			 Gene Therapy Advisory Committee Yes No No No No No 
			 Genetics and Insurance Committee Yes No No No No No 
			 Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee (24) No (24) No (24) No 
			 Human Genetics Commission Yes No Yes No Yes No 
			 Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP) No No No No No No 
			 Independent Review Panel for Advertising No No No No No No 
			 Independent Review Panel for Borderline Substances No No No No No No 
			 Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation No No No No No No 
			 Medicines Commission (will be abolished on 30 October 2005) No No No No No No 
			 National Joint Registry Steering Committee No No(27) No No No No 
			 Nursing and Other Health Professions Review Body No No No No No No 
			 Patient Information Advisory Group No No Yes No No No 
			 Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration No No No No No No 
			 Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition Yes No Yes No Yes  
			 Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health(23) n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Sexual Health Independent Advisory Group No No No No No No 
			 Specialist Advisory Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance No No No No No No 
			 Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee Yes No No No No No 
			 Standing Dental Advisory Committee No No No No Yes No 
			 Steering Committee on Pharmacy Postgraduate Education(23) n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 The Advisory Board on the Registration of Homeopathic Products No No No No No No 
			 UK Xenotransplantation Interim Regulatory Authority No No No No No No 
			 Unrelated Live Transplant Regulatory Authority No No No No No No 
		
	
	
		
			 Name of ANDPB (d) Publish a register of members' interests Whether under a statutory requirement (e) Publish agendas for meetings Whether under a statutory requirement 
		
		
			 Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee Yes No No No 
			 Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances No No No No 
			 Advisory Committee on Clinical Excellence Awards No No No No 
			 Advisory Group on Hepatitis Yes No Yes No 
			 Committee for Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment Yes No No No 
			 Committee on Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment Yes No Yes No 
			 Committee on Mutagenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment Yes No Yes No 
			 Committee on Safety of Devices Yes No Yes No 
			 Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants Yes No Yes No 
			 Expert Advisory Group on Aids Yes No Yes No 
			 Gene Therapy Advisory Committee Yes No Yes No 
			 Genetics and Insurance Committee Yes No Yes No 
			 Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee Yes(25) No No(26) No 
			 Human Genetics Commission Yes No Yes No 
			 Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP) Yes No No No(29) 
			 Independent Review Panel for Advertising Yes No No No 
			 Independent Review Panel for Borderline Substances Yes No No No 
			 Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation Yes No Yes No 
			 Medicines Commission (will be abolished on 30 October 2005) Yes No No No 
			 National Joint Registry Steering Committee No No(28) Yes No 
			 Nursing and Other Health Professions Review Body Yes No No No 
			 Patient Information Advisory Group Yes No Yes No 
			 Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration Yes No No No 
			 Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition Yes No Yes No 
			 Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health(23) n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Sexual Health Independent Advisory Group Yes No No No 
			 Specialist Advisory Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance No No Yes No 
			 Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee Yes No Yes No 
			 Standing Dental Advisory Committee No No No No 
			 Steering Committee on Pharmacy Postgraduate Education(23) n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 The Advisory Board on the Registration of Homeopathic Products Yes No No No 
			 UK Xenotransplantation Interim Regulatory Authority Yes No Yes No 
			 Unrelated Live Transplant Regulatory Authority Yes No Yes No 
		
	
	n/a = Not available.
	(23)These bodies are under review and not active. They have no memberships.
	2This has not yet been decided.
	3The Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee Order establishing the HMAC came into force on 30 October 2005. The answer provided refers to planned future activity.
	4This has not specifically been decided yet, and the answer provided is based on precedent with other advisory committees.
	5The NJRSC will hold such meetings in future.
	6The NJRSC will publish such a register in future.
	7The IRP intends to introduce these measures next year.

Agenda for Change

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many NHS staff due back pay under the Agenda for Change programme had been paid their full entitlement to such pay at 31 October; and how many claims are outstanding;
	(2)  how many hospital trusts have paid their staff all the back pay due to them under the Agenda for Change; and if she will instruct hospital trusts to pay interest on monies due in October 2004 which have not been paid.

Liam Byrne: Information on payment of back pay due to the implementation of Agenda for Change is not held centrally.

Ambulance Service

John Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many assaults there have been on ambulance service staff in the course of their duties in the County of Durham in the last five years.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not held by specific location. The NHS Security Management Service is currently in the process of compiling and validating the first ever accurate figures for the levels of physical assault on national health service staff across England.
	Estimated violent or abusive incidents in NHS ambulance trusts for 200001, 200102 and 200203 is shown in the table. Information relating to the number of physical assaults for NHS ambulance trusts in England for 200405 will be published shortly.
	
		
			  Violent incidents 
			 Ambulance trust name 200203 200102 200001 
		
		
			 Avon Ambulance Service NHS Trust 163 31 17 
			 Bedfordshire and Herts Ambulance and Paramedic Service NHS Trust 75 48 45 
			 Coventry and Warwickshire Ambulance NHS Trust 39 37 14 
			 Cumbria Ambulance Service NHS Trust 54 34 13 
			 Dorset Ambulance NHS Trust 72 39 55 
			 East Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust 119 89 103 
			 East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust 290 233 161 
			 Essex Ambulance Service NHS Trust 66 28 18 
			 Gloucestershire Ambulance Services NHS Trust 60 30 7 
			 Greater Manchester Ambulance Service NHS Trust 277 304 119 
			 Hampshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 75 81 168 
			 Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service NHS Trust 101 18 8 
			 Kent Ambulance NHS Trust 55 n/a 59 
			 Lancashire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 104 161 112 
			 Lincolnshire Ambulance and Health Transport Services NHS Trust 86 67 46 
			 London Ambulance Service NHS Trust 2,211 2,158 n/a 
			 Mersey Regional Ambulance Service NHS Trust 67 60 75 
			 North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust 167 229 544 
			 Oxfordshire Ambulance NHS Trust 72 35 39 
			 Royal Berkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 33 39 46 
			 South Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 52 173 96 
			 Staffordshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 78 26 30 
			 Surrey Ambulance Service NHS Trust 131 122 120 
			 Sussex Ambulance Service NHS Trust 301 221 7 
			 Tees East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 129 105 87 
			 Two Shires Ambulance NHS Trust 88 81 134 
			 West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust 186 154 171 
			 West Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service NHS Trust 183 65 68 
			 Westcountry Ambulance Services NHS Trust 70 110 94 
			 Wiltshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 8 n/a 1 
			  5,412 4,778 2,457 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health

Ambulance Service

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many assaults were recorded on ambulance staff in (a) Tamworth and (b) Staffordshire while on duty in each of the last five years; and how many prosecutions resulted in each case.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not held by specific location. The NHS Security Management Service is currently in the process of compiling and auditing the first ever accurate figures for the levels of physical assault on national health service staff across England. Last month figures for physical assaults in mental health and learning disability settings were released. These amounted to 43,309 for 200405. Figures for the acute, primary care and ambulance services nationally will be released shortly.
	Information about the number of prosecutions resulting from reports of assaults on ambulance staff was not collected centrally for the period 200103. The number of prosecutions identified involving assaults on ambulance staff in England for 200405 totalled 100.

Ambulance Service

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many ambulances there were in the NHS in each year since 1995.

Liam Byrne: This information is not collected centrally.
	Each ambulance service should plan to provide appropriate resources to meet local demand. This may include resources in addition to traditional ambulance provision, for example in using rapid response vehicles and motorbikes, as well as utilising staff such as community paramedics or emergency care practitioners. Patients who need a traditional ambulance response will continue to receive one. The fleet mix will vary across the country depending on operational and geographical requirements.

Ambulance Service

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many assaults were recorded on ambulance service staff (a) in Blackpool and (b) in each ambulance service area while on duty in each of the last five years; and how many prosecutions resulted in each case.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not held by specific location. The NHS Security Management Service is currently in the process of compiling and validating the first ever accurate figures for the levels of physical assault on NHS staff across England. Figures for the acute, primary care and ambulance services nationally will be released in the near future.
	Estimated violent or abusive incidents in NHS ambulance trusts for 200001, 200102 and 200203 is shown in the table. Information relating to the number of physical assaults for NHS ambulance trusts in England for 200405 will be published shortly.
	Information about the number of prosecutions resulting from reports of assaults on ambulance staff was not collected centrally for the period 200103. The number of prosecutions identified involving assaults on ambulance staff in England for 200405 totalled 100.
	
		
			  Violent incidents 
			 Ambulance trust name 200203 200102 200001 
		
		
			 Avon Ambulance Service NHS Trust 163 31 17 
			 Bedfordshire and Herts Ambulance and Paramedic Service NHS Trust 75 48 45 
			 Coventry and Warwickshire Ambulance NHS Trust 39 37 14 
			 Cumbria Ambulance Service NHS Trust 54 34 13 
			 Dorset Ambulance NHS Trust 72 39 55 
			 East Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust 119 89 103 
			 East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust 290 233 161 
			 Essex Ambulance Service NHS Trust 66 28 18 
			 Gloucestershire Ambulance Services NHS Trust 60 30 7 
			 Greater Manchester Ambulance Service NHS Trust 277 304 119 
			 Hampshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 75 81 168 
			 Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service NHS Trust 101 18 8 
			 Kent Ambulance NHS Trust 55 n/a 59 
			 Lancashire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 104 161 112 
			 Lincolnshire Ambulance and Health Transport Services NHS Trust 86 67 46 
			 London Ambulance Service NHS Trust 2,211 2,158 n/a 
			 Mersey Regional Ambulance Service NHS Trust 67 60 75 
			 North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust 167 229 544 
			 Oxfordshire Ambulance NHS Trust 72 35 39 
			 Royal Berkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 33 39 46 
			 South Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 52 173 96 
			 Staffordshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 78 26 30 
			 Surrey Ambulance Service NHS Trust 131 122 120 
			 Sussex Ambulance Service NHS Trust 301 221 7 
			 Tees East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 129 105 87 
			 Two Shires Ambulance NHS Trust 88 81 134 
			 West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust 186 154 171 
			 West Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service NHS Trust 183 65 68 
			 Westcountry Ambulance Services NHS Trust 70 110 94 
			 Wiltshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 8 n/a 1 
			 Total 5,412 4,778 2,457 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health

Ashford and St. Peter's NHS Trust

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the financial performance of Ashford St Peters' NHS trust over the last five years for which figures are available, with particular reference to the requirement for NHS trusts to break even over a five year period.

Caroline Flint: The information requested is shown in the following table.
	
		Final audited position for Ashford St. Peters' national health service trust for the period 200001 to 200405. -- 000
		
			  Surplus/(deficit) 
		
		
			 200001 -4,846 
			 200102 -1,409 
			 200203 -1,328 
			 200304 5 
			 200405 61

Authority Boundaries

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cross-county hospital trusts there are; and how many she expects there to be in 20 years time.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not centrally available.

Avian Influenza

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will arrange to meet the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs weekly to co-ordinate the Government's efforts to assess and tackle the threat of avian influenza coming to the UK and its potential mutation into a human influenza virus.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 1 November 2005
	There are already well established networks of cross government working on dealing with the threat from avian influenza and its possible mutation into a human influenza virus which may be capable of causing a pandemic. Officials in all of the relevant government Departments, including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, are co-operating closely and meeting on a regular basis. Cross government action is co-ordinated through the Civil Contingencies Secretariat in the Cabinet Office, and a Cabinet committee. These arrangements are kept under constant review.

Avian Influenza

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the risks of avian influenza spreading to humans through the (a) burial and (b) burning in the open air of poultry carcases.

Rosie Winterton: It is not proposed to dispose of poultry carcases either by burial or burning in the open air. Under the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs exotic animal disease generic contingency plan, the hierarchy for disposal is incineration, rendering and licensed commercial landfill.
	As the virus is destroyed by the high temperatures of incineration and rendering and would not survive for long in the environment of a commercial landfill site, these methods of dispersal are appropriate for the protection of human health. The Department has not therefore made any specific assessment of the health risks to people of these dispersal methods.

Avian Influenza

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to make antiviral therapies available to those who handle poultry.

Rosie Winterton: When an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is confirmed, poultry workers on the infected farm, together with vets, contractors and others who might be at risk due to direct close contact with diseased birds will be offered the antiviral therapy, oseltamivir, as soon as possible after disease confirmation.
	The stockpile of antivirals is currently being held centrally, while it is being built up. Arrangements have been put in place to make them available to those who need it within 48 hours. Antiviral drugs will be made available and administered through the Health Protection Agency's (HPA) local health protection units in collaboration with the National health service in England. Similar arrangements will apply in Wales and Scotland.
	From March 2006, the antivirals will be stored regionally. These arrangements for their storage and distribution in England will be the subject of a tendering exercise conducted by the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency. It will be open to pharmaceutical wholesalers to respond to that tender. Any non-pharmaceutical items stockpiled are covered by standard NHS storage and distribution arrangements. Devolved administrations are responsible for their own storage and distribution arrangements.
	Further information is available on the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and HPA websites.

Avian Influenza

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much (a) influenza vaccine and (b) H5N1 vaccine has been allocated to the Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority area; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: Information on influenza vaccine allocations is not held centrally or by the Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority or the individual primary care trust. Each general practice orders the amount of influenza vaccine they require based on their practice list and the number of people they have in vulnerable risk groups.
	A tender has been issued for H5N1 vaccine, which could be offered to health care workers in the event of a pandemic. This vaccine is not currently available but the plan is to hold stocks centrally when it is delivered.

Breast Cancer

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her statement at the Breakthrough Breast Cancer event of 25 October, how she plans to communicate to primary care trusts her desire to see Herceptin offered to women suffering early stage breast cancer before it is granted a product licence by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency; and whether prescribers will be liable for any adverse incidents if they prescribe Herceptin unlicensed.

Jane Kennedy: The position on the prescribing of Herceptin has been communicated to the national health service via the chief executive's bulletin of 10 November 2005. This bulletin is available on the Department's website at www.dh.gov.uk and is aimed at all primary care trusts.
	In all cases, we would expect a clinician, before deciding whether to prescribe Herceptin in any particular case, to discuss the potential benefits and harmful effects of Herceptin with each individual patient and to have documented that discussion as they should do when prescribing non-licensed indications. It is not possible to make a blanket statement about the determination of liability in the case of individual adverse events, but we have no reason to believe that a clinician acting in this way would incur any specific additional liability.

Cataract Operations

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cataract operations have taken place in each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Number of cataract operations, 19992000 to 200304
		
			  Finished consultant episodes 
		
		
			 19992000 216,741 
			 200001 245,239 
			 200102 252,979 
			 200203 276,350 
			 200304 301,664 
		
	
	Note:
	A finished consultant episode is defined as a period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. The figures do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the year.

CCT Costs

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the (a) total cost to a GP registrar was of obtaining a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) and (b) maximum length of time from application to award of a CCT was as at (i) 1 September and (ii) 1 October; what assessment she has made of the impact of this change on the recruitment of general practitioners; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 11 November 2005
	The Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB) total charge to a general practitioner registrar for a certificate of completion of training (CCT) is 250. This is a single, once-and-for-all payment.
	Since PMETB assumed the responsibility for award of CCTs on 30 September 2005, the board had obviously not issued any CCTs by Saturday 1 October.
	Looking at the number of CCTs in general practice issued by PMETB since that date, the maximum length of time taken to award a CCT, once all the required documentary evidence had been submitted, was 12 working days. The average for this activity is 11 working days.
	If PMETB's award is based on a previous joint committee for postgraduate training for general practice (JCPTGP) assessment there is no additional cost. However, I understand that the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has decided to charge an enrolment fee of 350 for doctors now entering GP training so that it can advise and monitor doctors' progress through training and carry out the necessary work to make recommendations to PMETB on the issue of a certificate. This is consistent with the practices of other medical Royal Colleges for this activity.
	The CCT was not awarded before 30 September 2005 when PMETB took up its legal functions. The CCT replaced the certificate of prescribed experience previously awarded by the JCPTGP. Although we do not know the maximum length of time the JCPTGP took to award its certificate, we understand that the average length of time was 10 working days from receipt of all the documentary evidence.
	The change from the JCPTGP to the PMETB has had absolutely no impact on the recruitment of general practitioners. There were some initial problems when functions were transferred to PMETB at the beginning of October but these are being resolved and at the present time there are no complete applications over 11 days old awaiting the award of a CCT.

Chase Farm NHS Hospital Trust

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date were (a) her Department and (b) Chase Farm NHS Hospital Trust first notified that Chase Farm NHS Trust would be required to make annual savings of approximately 16 million; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: Barnet and Chase Farm Hospital National Health Service Trust has a requirement to achieve a balanced financial position and it is for the trust to assess the level of savings it needs to make to achieve that end in the context of its overall financial plan.
	It is the role of the strategic health authority to deliver both overall financial balance for their local health communities and to ensure each and every body achieves financial balance.

Cheshire and Merseyside SHA

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how much has been spent by the Cheshire and Merseyside strategic health authority on management consultants in each of the last five years;
	(2)  what projects in the Cheshire and Merseyside strategic health authority (a) have required and (b) will require the assistance of external management consultants in 200506.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not held centrally.

Child Vaccinations

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the take-up rate is of child vaccinations in West Lancashire.

Liam Byrne: The information requested can be found in NHS Immunisation Statistics, England: 200405, a copy of which is available on the Department's website at: www.dh.gov.uk/assestRoot/04/11/96/50/04119650.pdf.

Child Vaccinations

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether she plans to review the provisions in the General Medical Services contract relating to the incentives to provide childhood vaccinations.

Caroline Flint: The new general medical services contract review is being undertaken on behalf of the Government by NHS Employers, which negotiates changes with the general practitioners' committee (GPC) representing GPs. A sub-group has been formed specifically to discuss vaccinations and immunisations. The sub-group includes departmental officials, NHS Employers and members of the GPC. Any changes to the provisions that are agreed through the sub-group will be implemented in 2007.

Chiropractic Treatment

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the Government's policy on funding chiropractic treatment under the NHS.

Liam Byrne: Decisions on the provision and funding of chiropractic treatment under the national health service are a matter for local NHS organisations, as they are best placed to decide on the health needs of their local populations.

Communication Staff

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff were employed in communication roles in (a) strategic health authorities, (b) primary care trusts and (c) other NHS trusts in England at (i) 31 March and (ii) 30 September; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Community Hospitals

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the oral statement by the Minister of State for Health Services on 2nd November, on earmarked funding for community hospitals, which community hospitals have so far benefited from the funding; how the funding is being allocated; and how much of the funding has been allocated so far.

Liam Byrne: The Government's commitment to community hospitals will be progressed through developing a clear vision of the community hospital of the 21st century, and 100 million of public capital funding will be invested to support implementation.
	Officials are currently undertaking detailed scoping work to consider the range of services that a modern community hospital could offer and the outcomes of the Your Health, Your Care, Your Say consultation will feed into this. The future direction of policy on community hospitals is likely to be indicated in the forthcoming White Paper on health and social care.

Community Hospitals

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the last review of community hospital provision took place (a) nationally and (b) in each county; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: Local health care provision, including services provided by community hospitals, is a matter for primary care trusts and strategic health authorities in consultation with the local population. No national review has taken place.

Community Hospitals

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the contribution of community hospitals in the delivery of health care in each strategic health authority area; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  whether the 100 million investment in community hospitals, announced earlier in the year, will be provided exclusively as capital funding; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  how many community hospitals will be built with the 100 million investment announced earlier in the year; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The Government have identified an initial public capital investment of 100 million to build, rebuild, or refurbish 50 community hospitals. Officials are currently undertaking detailed scoping work to set out the vision of the modern community hospital and the outcomes of the Your Health, Your Care, Your Say consultation will feed into this. Until this work is completed, it is not possible to estimate how many community hospitals will be built. The future direction of policy on community hospitals is likely to be indicated in the forthcoming White Paper on health and social care.

Continuing Care

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether individuals who are deemed eligible forhigh band nursing care are automatically eligible for NHS continuing care.

Liam Byrne: No. An assessment of needs will establish eligibility for nursing care, and at what level. If that assessment establishes that the individual meets the criteria for continuing care, then that will be put in place instead.

Dacorum Primary Care Trust

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether representations from members of the public to her Department concerning proposals to alter healthcare provision by (a) West Hertfordshire Hospital Trust and (b) Dacorum Primary Care Trust will be considered as part of the Your Health, Your Care, Your Say consultation exercise.

Rosie Winterton: Representations from members of the public concerning proposals to alter healthcare provision were not considered as part of the Your Health, Your Care, Your Say consultation as the reconfiguration of services at the West Hertfordshire Hospital Trust and Dacorum Primary Care Trust were included in a local consultation known as Investing in Your Health which ran from March to June 2003.

Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley Primary Care Trust

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what treatments recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley Primary Care Trust does not (a) fund and (b) offer to patients.

Caroline Flint: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Departmental Assets

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the 10 most valuable (a) movable and (b) immovable assets owned by her Department.

Liam Byrne: The following is the list of the top 10 moveable and top 10 immoveable fixed assets in the books of the Department. The amounts are stated at net current value as at 31 October 2005.
	
		Most valuable moveable and immovable assets owned by Department of Health
		
			 Description of asset  
		
		
			 Immoveable fixed assets  
			 Land Warneford Hospital 30,900,000 
			 Whittingham Hospital 27,900,000 
			 Leybourne Grange Hospital 25,000,000 
			 Richmond House Building 19,467,914 
			 Cane Hill Hospital 15,000,000 
			 High Royds Hospital 15,000,000 
			 Killingbeck Hospital 15,000,000 
			 Richmond House Land 13,438,082 
			 Male Homes Site (St. Margarets) 11,000,000 
			 Yardley Green Hospital 10,912,913 
			   
			 Moveable fixed assets  
			 Software Licences from Microsoft 75,583,418 
			 Local Service Provider North West 57,310,442 
			 Spine Project-the core NHS Care Records Service to ensure highly available and highly resilient live Systems delivered in several phases 44,835,458 
			 Spine Project-the core NHS Care Records Service to ensure highly available and highly resilient live Systems delivered in several phases 21,250,000 
			 Software licencesOracleNational Programme For Information Technology 21,197,152 
			 Spine Projectthe core NHS Care Records Service to ensure highly available and highly resilient live Systems delivered in several phases 20,887,632 
			 Electronic staff records 200405 18,200,000 
			 National software licences from Microsoft 17,290,037 
			 Skipton House fit out enhancement carpets, blinds, signage, catering/servery equipment 3,650,258 
			 1,300 personal computers (PCs), monitors installation- periodical refresh of PCs in Quarry House 2,522,930 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Immoveable assets are land and buildings and any plant and machinery that form an integral part of the land and buildings (such as central heating and air conditioning systems, for example).
	2.Moveable assets are any asset that is not an immoveable asset.
	Source:
	Department of Health Fixed Asset Register

Departmental Land (Tamworth)

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what (a) land and (b) property her Department owns in Tamworth constituency.

Jane Kennedy: The Department does not own any operational property in Tamworth. The Secretary of State for Health owns a strip of land at the former St. Editha's hospital site.

Departmental Spending

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects her Department's spending as a share of national income to equal or exceed the European average; and if she will place in the Library the calculations that form the basis of her answer.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 11 November 2005
	The latest available data for average European Union health spending as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) is 8.8 per cent. in 200304. The total United Kingdom health spending as a percentage of GDP is forecast to exceed this figure in 200607.

Diabetes

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence will consider the findings of the Canadian Expert Drug Advisory Committee prior to issuing guidance in relation to the long-acting insulin analogue Lantus.

Jane Kennedy: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) published a technology appraisal, Guidance on the use of long-acting insulin analogues for the treatment of diabetesinsulin glargine in December 2002. NICE are due to begin reviewing the guidance shortly, and will take account of all available evidence, including international evidence.

Drug Addicts (West Lancashire)

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many addicts were prescribed diamorphine in West Lancashire in each of the last five years.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not held centrally. However, information on the number of prescriptions issued for diamorphine since 2001 is shown in the table.
	
		Number of prescriptions issued for diamorphine, 200104
		
			  Number of prescriptions 
		
		
			 2001 338 
			 2002 318 
			 2003 195 
			 2004 263 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.It is not known how many of theses prescriptions were for addicts nor how many patients these items correspond to.
	2.Records for prescriptions for addicts issued under the Misuse of Drugs Act on Form FP10 (MDA) indicate that only one has been issued in West Lancashire Primary Care Trust, in 2004.

Emergency Services

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average ambulance response time in attending 999 calls in (a) East Anglia and (b) England has been in each year since 1997.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not centrally collected in the required format.
	The data that the Department collects on ambulance response times for the East Anglian Ambulance Service and for all ambulance services in England is shown in the table. It is only possible to provide this data from the point at which each ambulance trust introduced call prioritisation.
	Further relevant information can be found in tables 5a, 5b, 6 and 7 of the statistical bulletin, Ambulance services, England: 200405, which is available in the Library and on Department's website at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/11/36/79/04113679.pdf
	
		Ambulance response times in East Anglia and England 200001 to 200405
		
			 Percentage of category A calls responded within:  East Anglian  England 
		
		
			 8 minutes   
			 200001 53.0 n/a 
			 200102 63.8 70.8 
			 200203 75.2 74.6 
			 200304 76.1 75.7 
			 200405 76.5 76.2 
			
			 14/19 minutes   
			 200001 95.7 n/a 
			 200102 95.7 94.1 
			 200203 96.9 94.6 
			 200304 96.6 93.9 
			 200405 96.2 96.0 
		
	
	n/a = Data not available, as call prioritisation technology not introduced.

Eye Health Services

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have been treated with the use of photodynamic therapy for wet age-related macular degeneration in the last 12 months; and whether photodynamic therapy is uniformly available throughout England.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 14 November 2005
	In 200304, there were 3,262 finished admission episodes in the National Health Service in England where the primary diagnosis was degeneration of macular and posterior pole and an eye operation was carried out. We do not hold information on the use of photodynamic therapy in these treatments. All primary care trusts have put arrangements in place to fund treatment for patients who have either the wholly classic form of age-related macular degeneration or the predominantly classic form.
	Notes:
	Finished admission episodes
	A finished admission episode is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. The figures do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the year.
	Diagnosis (primary diagnosis)
	The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 14 (7 prior to 20023) diagnosis fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data set and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital.
	Diagnosis codes used for wet age-related macular degeneration (Degeneration of macula and posterior pole, ICD-10 code H353) and eye operations (OPCS-4= C01-C86).

Foreign Travel Vaccinations

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vaccinations for diseases associated with foreign travel have been provided free of charge on the NHS in each year since 199798; and at what cost in each year.

Caroline Flint: The information requested is not held centrally.

Foreign Travel Vaccinations

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners per head of population there have been in West Lancashire in each of the last five years.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		General Medical Practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)(24)per 100,000 head of population for Cumbria and Lancashire SHA and West Lancashire PCT, 19992004 -- Number (headcount)
		
			  1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 Q13Cumbria and Lancashire   
			 All Practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)(24) 1,106 1,105 1,118 1,145 1,169 1,168 
			 Population 1,899,003 1,901,743 1,905,060 1,910,378 1,919,041 1,929,653 
			 All Practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)(24)per 100,000 head of population 58.2 58.1 58.7 59.9 60.9 60.5 
			 Of which:   
			 5f3West Lancashire PCT   
			 All Practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)(24) n/a n/a 58 61 61 60 
			 Population(25) n/a n/a 108,480 108,718 108,994 n/a 
			 All Practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)(24)per 100,000 head of population n/a n/a 53.5 56.1 56.0 n/a 
		
	
	n/a = Data not applicable.
	(24)General Medical Practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars) includes Contracted GPs , GMS Others and PMS Others. Prior to September 2004 this group included GMS Unrestricted Principals, PMS Contracted GPs, PMS Salaried GPs, Restricted Principals, Assistants, Salaried Doctors (Para 52 SFA), PMS Other, Flexible Career Scheme GPs and GP Returners.
	(25)Population data for 2004 PCTs will not be available until November 2005.
	Note:
	Data as at 1 October 1999 and 30 September 200004
	Sources:
	NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre General and Personal Medical Services Statistics
	2001 ONS Population Census

General Practitioners

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time to see a general practitioner was in each year since 1986.

Liam Byrne: The requested data are not collected or held centrally. Since 2001, data have been collected each month from primary care trusts and general practitioners on the availability of access to a general practitioner. These data show whether access is or is not available in line with the NHS Plan target that patients should be able to be seen by a primary care doctor within 48 hours but do not provide information on actual waiting times. The data show that since December 2004, over 99 per cent. of patients are seeking a primary care doctor within this time scale.

General Practitioners

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government are taking to increase the number of general practitioners in the NHS.

Liam Byrne: There are more general practitioners (GPs), 32,418, in the national health service than ever before. Since 1997 the number of GPs increased by 4,372 (15.6 per cent.) and the number of GP registrars has increased by 1,138 (84.7 per cent.).
	As part of the new foundation programme, the first stage of postgraduate medical training, more trainees will have a placement in a primary care setting55 per cent. in 200607, rising to 90 per cent. in later years.

Gershon Review

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many full-time equivalent employee reductions the Department has made as a result of the Gershon review; what cost savings relating to IT projects were achieved; what value of efficiency savings (a) were achieved in 200405 and (b) are expected to be achieved in 200506; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 3 November 2005
	The Department's change programme commenced in March 2003, prior to the publication of the Gershon review. Our Gershon commitment however is based on delivery of this programme. We confirmed in our 2005 Departmental report that gross full time equivalent headcount for the core Department had reduced from 3,390 in March 2003 to 2,050 in March 2005. We will update progress against our Gershon commitment in our autumn performance report.
	We have not as yet declared any achieved cost savings relating to information technology projects as Connecting for Health applications have only recently commenced rollout phase. Our calculation of efficiency gains recognises that benefits accrue from the integrated delivery of technology, process and people change. Future gains therefore will not wholly differentiate technology-only efficiency benefits. Our measurement methodology will be set out in an updated efficiency technical note, due to be published on the Department's website at the end of November.
	We have not yet declared efficiency gains for 200405. These gains and expected further progress in 200506 will be set out in our autumn performance report due to be presented to Parliament in December.

Health Service Reconfiguration

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list each of the requests that she has received for contested health service reconfigurations to be referred to the Independent Reconfiguration Panel since the IRP was created; and whether the request (a) was accepted, (b) was registered and (c) is awaiting decision in each case.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 11 November 2005
	As at 10 November 2005, there have been eight referrals to the Secretary of State which is shown in the table. The overview and scrutiny committee right of referral is to the Secretary of State who may choose to seek advice from the independent reconfiguration panel (IRP). Since its establishment, the IRP has provided formal advice to the Secretary of State on one casein East Kent. Of the seven referrals subsequently received, three were determined by Secretary of State without recourse to the IRP, three are pending a decision, and in one case the proposals were withdrawn by the primary care trust.
	
		Referrals to the Secretary of State seeking advice from the IRP
		
			  Location Referred by Date of referral Outcome 
		
		
			 1 East Kent (Margate/Canterbury/Ashford) South East Kent CHC Canterbury and Thanet CHC April 2002 Secretary of State's decision to refer to IRP 
			 2 Wiltshire (Kennet and North Wiltshire) Wiltshire county council HOSC October 2004 Proposals withdrawn by PCT in favour of wide-ranging review of community services 
			 3 Fareham and Gosport (Hants) Hampshire county council HOSC January 2005 Secretary of State's decision to uphold NHS decision without referral to IRP 
			 4 South West London (Sutton/Epsom/  St. Helier) London borough of Merton HOSC March 2005 Secretary of State's decision pending 
			 5 Bristol (Southmead/Frenchay) South Gloucestershire HOSC July 2005 Secretary of State's decision to uphold NHS decision without referral to IRP 
			 6 Wirral (Wirral and Wallasey) Wirral Metropolitan borough council HOSC July 2005 Secretary of State's decision to uphold NHS decision without referral to IRP 
			 7 Lincolnshire (cross county) HOSC for Lincolnshire July 2005 Secretary of State's decision pending 
			 8 Surrey (Guildford and Waverley) Surrey county council HOSC October 2005 Secretary of State's decision pending

Health Trust Guidance

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance she has issued to health trusts on the priority they should give to (a) reducing financial deficits and (b) meeting clinical targets.

Liam Byrne: National health service organisations are required to deliver both their statutory financial duties and those national targets that apply to that organisation.
	NHS trusts have a statutory duty to break even. This requires them to match income and expenditure over a three-year period, exceptionally this can be extended to a five-year period.
	Primary care trusts have a statutory duty to live within the resources allocated to them. They are required to achieve financial balance each and every year.
	National Standards, Local Action, published in July 2004 and available in the Library and on the Department's website at www.dh.gov.uk, sets out what is expected of national health service and social care organisations for the three financial years 200506 to 200708 in terms of national priorities and health care standards.

Hearing Aids

Anne Moffat: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in England have received digital hearing aids through the NHS in each year since 1997.

Liam Byrne: This information requested is not held centrally. The modernising hearing aid services programme estimates that approximately 500,000 people have now been fitted with digital hearing aids.

Hepatitis C

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to introduce opportunistic screening for hepatitis C at genito-urinary medicine clinics.

Caroline Flint: The Department published guidance for the national health service on hepatitis C testing in July 2004. Genito-urinary medicine clinics are one of the health care settings in which opportunistic testing for those at increased risk of hepatitis C takes place. The British Association of Sexual Health and HIV published guidance on the management of hepatitis A, B and C in September 2005. This includes advice on hepatitis C testing in genito-urinary medicine clinics, and is available on the Association's website at: www.bashh.org/guidelines/2005/hepatitis_abc__final_0905.pdf

High Blood Pressure

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps her Department is taking to educate the public about the dangers of high blood pressure.

Caroline Flint: It is essential that individuals across the population be made aware of the risks associated with high blood pressure and the importance of knowing their blood pressure numbers. For the last four years the Department has funded the Blood Pressure Association's (BPA) Know Your Numbers campaign. The national blood pressure testing week, which took place between 12 and 18 September this year, is the high point of the BPA's campaign and provides an opportunity for the public to attend a blood pressure testing station located in their local community. Individuals are also offered free information on prevention, management and treatment of the condition to prevent the onset of heart disease and stroke.
	The most important factor in putting up blood pressure, alongside diet, physical inactivity and being overweight, is salt intake. In September 2004, the Food Standards Agency launched a high profile consumer awareness campaign on salt. The second phase of the campaign, focusing on highlighting the 6 grams daily intake target and encouraging people to read labels to become aware of where their salt intake is coming from, started in October this year.

HIV/AIDS

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the size of the AIDS support grant has been in each year since it was established; and what her policy is on the AIDS support grant.

Caroline Flint: The size of the AIDS support grant in each year since its introduction is shown in the following table. The AIDS support grant continues to be an effective tool in assisting local authority HIV social care provision to those living with the virus, their partners and families.
	
		Aids support grant 198990 to 200506 --  million
		
			  AIDS support grant amount 
		
		
			 198990 7.0 
			 199091 9.8 
			 199192 10.2 
			 199293 15.3 
			 199394 12.4 
			 199495 12.9 
			 199596 13.4 
			 199697 13.7 
			 199798 13.7 
			 199899 13.7 
			 19992000 15.5 
			 200001 16.0 
			 200102 16.5 
			 200203 16.5 
			 200304 16.5 
			 200405 16.5 
			 200506 16.5

Hospital Doctors' Pay

Michael Wills: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost of hospital doctors' pay was in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999, (d) 2000, (e) 2001, (f) 2002, (g) 2003 and (h) 2004; and what estimate she has made for 2005.

Liam Byrne: The information from 199798 to 200405 is shown in the table.
	
		Doctors' salaries 199798 to 200405, England
		
			  Total () 
		
		
			 199798 2,894,787,597 
			 199899 3,170,563,499 
			 19992000 3,520,060,863 
			 200001 3,975,751,343 
			 200102 4,543,044,274 
			 200203 5,045,570,671 
			 200304 6,044,061,370 
			 200405 6,372,000,000 
		
	
	Note:
	These are the total England figures for medical staff working for all national health service trusts. The figures include locums.

Hospital Doctors' Pay

Michael Wills: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the projected cost of hospital doctors' pay in (a) 2006, (b) 2007, (c) 2008, (d) 2009 and (e) 2010.

Liam Byrne: The projected cost of hospital doctors' pay in 200506 is 6.923 billion. The cost for 200607 and beyond will depend on future pay settlements and the recommendations of the doctors' and dentists' pay review body.

Hospitals

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding has been granted from (a) her Department and (b) NHS budgets to procure artworks for hospitals in 200506.

Jane Kennedy: The Department has made grants to two organisations:
	to the Kings Fund for its programme, Enhancing the Healing Environment where two grants have been made, totalling 940,000:
	NHS Estates Agency250,000
	National Director for Mental Health690,000.
	There has been Section 64 funding in 200506 to the Charity Paintings in Hospital. This funding was made to support the charity's general running costs. A further grant of 2,500 was made to the same charity by the then NHS Estates Agency to fund work on the charity's website. A key part of the charity's work is their loan scheme by which they loan works of art to hospitals, hospices and general practitioner surgeries.
	The purpose of these charitable organisations is to improve the environment in which patients are treated. None of these grants were made for the specific purpose of procuring artwork.
	National health service trusts provide information annually to the Department on the amount they spend on artwork. This information is provided on a voluntary basis and the figures for that spend in 200506 are not yet available.

Hospitals

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how charges for telecommunications from NHS hospitals by patients are regulated.

Jane Kennedy: All charges for telecommunications from National health service hospitals by patients are regulated by the Office of Communications, the independent regulator and competition authority for the United Kingdom communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services. Charges for bedside television and telephone services are subject to the terms of national licences granted to the providers of these services and their agreements with NHS trusts.

Household Products (Health Effects)

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent research she has conducted into the impact upon human health of the use of (a) bleach, (b) chemicals in sanitary towels and related items, (c) home cleaning products, (d) detergents and (e) spray furniture polish; what advice has been given to the public relating to their use; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The Department has not conducted any research on the impact on human health of bleach, chemicals in sanitary towels and related items, home cleaning products, detergents, and spray furniture polish.
	It is the duty of manufacturers and suppliers to adequately test ingredients and products to identify any potential hazards to humans. There is a statutory duty to relay to consumers information on hazards to human health on product labels. Products where a biocidal claim has been made, for example, in respect of certain uses of bleach would be regulated under the Biocides Products Directive (EC/98/8) which require substantial amounts of testing for potential hazards to health to be undertaken and assessed through an European Union wide regulatory system.

Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the operation of (a) section 11 and (b) schedule 3 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990.

Caroline Flint: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has operated the licensing system, specified in section 11 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, effectively. I am also satisfied that the consent requirements contained in schedule three of the Act have been effective in protecting patients, ensuring they receive the fertility treatments and services to which they have agreed.
	As part of our review of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, our public consultation document, issued in August 2005, seeks views on a number of issues including the model of regulation and consent. Any comments received on these issues will be taken into account in deciding if any changes are required to current legislation.

Influenza

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her oral answer of 17 October 2005, Official Report, column 632W, on avian influenza, what definition of healthcare worker she plans to use for these purposes; and which categories of worker will be eligible for priority supplies of antivirals.

Rosie Winterton: The contingency plans referred to in the question relate to a possible flu pandemic among humans, not avian flu, which is a disease which primarily affects birds.

Influenza

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has had with pharmaceutical wholesalers with regard to stockpiling and distribution of (a) antiviral drugs and (b) protective masks and clothing.

Rosie Winterton: The stockpile of antiviral drugs is currently being held centrally, while it is being built up. Arrangements have been put in place to make them available to those who need it within 48 hours. Antiviral drugs will be made available and administered through the Health Protection Agency's (HPA) local health protection units in collaboration with the national health service in England (similar arrangements will apply in Wales and Scotland).
	From March 2006, the antivirals will be stored regionally. These arrangements for their storage and distribution in England will be the subject of a tendering exercise conducted by the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency. It will be open to pharmaceutical wholesalers to respond to that tender. Any non-pharmaceutical items stockpiled are covered by standard NHS storage and distribution arrangements. Devolved Administrations are responsible for their own storage and distribution arrangements.

Influenza

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will place in the Library a copy of the guidance given to general practitioners regarding avian influenza; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Avian influenza is a disease which mainly affects birds. There have been infrequent cases in some people who are closely exposed to infected poultry. To date (1 November 2005) there have been 122 cases of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza in people in South East Asia, 62 of whom have died. There is concern that the virus could evolve into a strain which readily infects people and is easily transmissible between people, resulting in a pandemic virus. This is why we are planning for a possible human flu pandemic.
	A copy of the information pack sent to general practitioner's on pandemic flu, which also contains information on avian influenza, is available in the Library.
	More information on avian influenza can be found at: www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/avianinfluenza.htm and at www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/influenza/flu.htm

Influenza

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps will be taken to ensure that those infected in an influenza pandemic (a) are identified at the earliest possible opportunity and (b) receive anti-viral treatment as quickly as possible.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 8 November 2005
	Clinical guidelines for health professionals regarding the diagnosis and treatment of those infected during an influenza pandemic were published on 19 October.
	The United Kingdom operational framework for antiviral medicines, which provides information to enable local National Health Service organisations to develop plans for the storage and distribution of antiviral medicines was published on 21 September. These local plans will need to set out local arrangements to ensure that the antivirals are prescribed to the patients who need them as soon as possible while minimising the risk of spreading the virus through contact with other patients.
	Both of these documents can be found on the Department's website at www.dh.gov.uk.

Influenza

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the at risk population of West Lancashire are expected to be inoculated against existing strains of influenza by the end of 2005; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: Under the new inspection system national targets are no longer set. Targets are now a local decision. In the Chief Medical Officer's letter to health professionals dated 25 July, he said that continued improvement of uptake rates across all groups should be encouraged.

Influenza

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what contingency planning has been undertaken in West Lancashire for an influenza pandemic; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: As part of their statutory duties, primary care trusts (PCTs) should ensure that arrangements are in place for the provision of primary care services in the event of an influenza pandemic. Local capacity planning should include arrangements with all primary care contractors including general medical services, personal medical services, PCT-led medical services as well as alternative providers of medical services. In order to meet the likely volume of work during a pandemic, PCTs should discuss with their general practitioners the non-essential work which can safely be put on hold. Specific arrangements will also be needed with the out-of-hours providers for individual PCTs.

Influenza

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether her Department plans for information and advice to be distributed to the public in the event of an influenza pandemic via (a) leaflets to be posted to households and (b) direct advertisements to the public.

Rosie Winterton: Full details of the communication strategy in the event of an influenza pandemic is included in annex I of The UK Influenza Pandemic Contingency Plan.

Influenza

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to support the development of a rapid diagnostic test for use in the event of a pandemic influenza outbreak.

Rosie Winterton: Rapid diagnostic tests are available for influenza, but these do not distinguish between different strains of influenza. The possible use of rapid diagnostic tests in an influenza pandemic has been considered by the influenza pandemic scientific advisory group. They have advised that the currently available tests would be of little use in a pandemic and more work is needed to develop an appropriate test. The group has undertaken to keep this under review.
	We are also working with the Health Protection Agency to ensure that diagnostic services are in place across the country to enable accurate identification of influenza strains.

Information Technology

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to fine private companies for cost over-runs on government procured information technology systems.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 10 November 2005
	Contracts to the value of 6.2 billion over 10 years were let to deliver the national programme for information technology. All the systems being deployed as part of the national programme are proceeding on budget. No additional costs have been incurred.

Junior Doctors

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many junior doctors her Department expects to be displaced from training posts by the transition to modernising medical careers.

Liam Byrne: The number of training posts for junior doctors is determined by the needs of patients and the national health service. There is no intention to reduce the number of posts as a result of the proposed modernising medical careers changes to the structure of training programmes.

Literacy and Numeracy

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to promote uptake of the national tests in adult literacy and numeracy among employees of her Department.

Jane Kennedy: The Department has not taken specific steps to promote the uptake of national tests. While the Department has not promoted the uptake of these qualifications, policies are in place to support people should they identify a need to do so.

Literacy and Numeracy

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of new recruits to her Department do not have a level 2 qualification in English and mathematics.

Jane Kennedy: The Department does not collect this type of data. The Department operates a competency based recruitment system. Candidates are required to demonstrate specific skills and competencies for a particular role.

Members' Surgeries (NHS Premises)

Kitty Ussher: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will instruct Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale primary care trust, when deciding whether its premises can be used for an hon. Member's surgery, to take account of the use of the Chai Centre for a ministerial visit in August.

Liam Byrne: This is a matter for the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale primary care trust.

Mental Health

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the quality of mental health services in Plymouth; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 11 November 2005
	The Department has made no direct assessment of the quality of mental health services in Plymouth. In England, the Healthcare Commission is responsible for assessing and reporting on the performance of national health service organisations. The commission published a clinical governance review of Plymouth Teaching Primary Care Trust in October 2004 and the trust is currently implementing an action plan to address the issues identified by the commission in close collaboration with the South West Peninsula Strategic Health Authority.
	In the 2005 performance ratings, Plymouth Teaching PCT was awarded two stars as a provider of mental health services.
	Additionally, in order to help local services benchmark their progress in implementing the national service framework for mental health with the other mental health service providers across the country, the National Institute for Mental Health in England conducts an annual assessment every autumn and shares the findings with trusts and strategic health authorities.

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many whole-time equivalent mental health nurses have been recruited in each of the last five years.

Liam Byrne: Information on the numbers of qualified full-time equivalent qualified nurses working in psychiatry in each of the last five years is shown in the table. Information on the number of staff recruited each year is not available centrally.
	
		NHS hospital and community health services: qualified nursing midwifery and health visiting staff working in the psychiatry area of work as at 30 September each specified yearEngland
		
			 Psychiatry Full-time equivalents 
		
		
			 2000 35,804 
			 2001 36,973 
			 2002 38,176 
			 2003 39,383 
			 2004 41,585 
		
	
	Note:
	Full-time equivalent figures are rounded to the nearest whole number.
	Source:
	Health and Social Care Information Centre Non-Medical Workforce Census

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health who the members are of the code of practice working group set up to implement a workable model of mental health tribunals proposed in the draft Mental Health Bill; when it has met; and whether she plans to publish its report.

Rosie Winterton: The Department has not set up a code of practice working group. We assume the hon. Member is referring to the tribunal project group (TPG) which is an advisory group that is answerable to the mental health legislation implementation group. The TPG's current membership is:
	David LyeDepartment of Health (Chair)
	Professor Jeremy CooperMental Health Review Tribunal, Southern Regional Chairman
	Lucy Scott-MoncrieffThe Law Society
	Professor Genevra RichardsonCouncil on Tribunals
	Penny LettsCouncil on Tribunals
	Patrick ReeveLegal Services Commission
	Laura MacMillenLegal Services Commission
	Dr. Pearl HettiaratchyMental Health Review Tribunal Member/General Medical Council/Royal College of Psychiatrists
	Gareth BartleyNational Assembly for Wales
	Yens Marsen-LutherNational Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE)
	Jim SymingtonNIMHE, London Development Centre.
	Keith NielandNIMHE, South East Development Centre
	Officials from the Department and the Department of Constitutional Affairs also attend meetings of the group. The TPG will meet for the fifth time on 17 November, and it is scheduled to meet monthly. It is not within the remit of the TPG to produce a report. It will advise Ministers, through project managers, on the overall direction and management of the tribunal project.

Midwifery

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 22 March 2005, Official Report, column 762W, to the hon. Member for Billericay on midwifery what progress is being made in investigating the feasibility of using the Community Midwifery Model in the NHS.

Liam Byrne: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on Monday 21 November 2005, Official Report, column 1720W.

Midwifery

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the age breakdown of midwives practising in the NHS in England is.

Liam Byrne: Information on the numbers of midwives employed in the national health service in England by age-band is shown in the table. The number of midwives training places is increasing and in 200405, 2,374 students entered training to become a midwife, 44 per cent. more than in 199697.
	
		NHS Hospital and Community Health Services: Registered midwives employed in the NHS as at 30 September 2004 in England by age-band
		
			  Headcount 
		
		
			 All staff 24,844 
			 25 and under 671 
			 25 to 29 1,707 
			 30 to 34 2,279 
			 35 to 39 4,255 
			 40 to 44 5,224 
			 45 to 49 3,943 
			 50 to 54 2,594 
			 55 to 59 1,738 
			 60 to 64 473 
			 65 and over 46 
			 Unknown 1,914 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what recent representations she has received from sufferers of multiple chemical sensitivity; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what guidance she has issued to general practitioners in the diagnosis of multiple chemical sensitivity;
	(3)  what recent discussions she has had with healthcare professionals on the treatment of multiple chemical sensitivity;
	(4)  how many people in the West Yorkshire area have been diagnosed with multiple chemical sensitivity since 1990.

Liam Byrne: I am not aware of having received any representations from people alleging that they suffer from multiple chemical sensitivity.
	The Department has not issued guidance to, or had discussions with, healthcare professionals on this. The national health service provides a range of services for people suffering from allergies based on an individual assessment of need. This includes, for those with complex cases requiring special facilities for the investigation and management of their condition, six specialist centres run by allergists.
	The Department does not collect data on people diagnosed with multiple chemical sensitivity.

NHS Commissioning

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the primary care trusts proposed for merger or reconfiguration in plans submitted by strategic health authorities under Commissioning a Patient-led NHS; and how she expects each primary care trust will be affected.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is available on the NHS Office of the Strategic Health Authorities' website at:
	www.osha.nhs.uk/publicpage.aspx?id_Content=618
	The process for considering and deciding on these proposals was set out in the written ministerial statement on 18 October 2005, Official Report, columns 4950WS.

NHS Finance

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total wage bill has been in the NHS in each year since 1997 (a) in total and (b) broken down by staff group in (i) nominal and (ii) real terms; and what proportion of the overall NHS budget this represented in each year.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is shown in the tables.
	
		Table 1: Absolute and proportion of National Health Service expenditure on staff and pay (nominal) --  millions
		
			  Data source 199697 199798 199899 19992000 200001 200102 200203 200304 
		
		
			 Total NHS DEL(26) DR2005 3.1 32,997 34,664 36,608 41,241 44,881 52,469 56,083 63,000 
			   
			 Pay bill: Trusts, PCTs and SHAs DHAccounts:Table7.9   
			 General and senior managers  867 912 952 1,055 1,187 1,331 1,571 1,777 
			 Medics  2,654 2,848 3,122 3,464 3,896 4,473 5,038 6,023 
			 Dentists  83 85 85 94 100 115 123 119 
			 Nurses  6,294 6,415 6,710 7,330 7,902 8,825 9,643 10,371 
			 Profession allied to medicine  843 873 928 1,022 1,116 1,246 1,356 1,479 
			 Professional and scientific  567 593 623 687 757 852 932 1,037 
			 Professional and technical  458 482 528 568 631 704 796 893 
			 Other scientific, therapeutic and technical  82 82 93 102 111 116 115 129 
			 Admin and clerical  1,733 1,766 1,865 1,989 2,161 2,444 2,724 3,000 
			 Maintenance  244 228 229 231 235 240 239 237 
			 Ambulance  325 333 355 364 395 433 478 524 
			 Health care assistants  922 947 962 1,013 1,047 1,113 1,182 1,251 
			 All other staff  33 31 22 27 44 55 130 125 
			 Non-NHS staff  451 480 586 730 912 1,189 1,462 1,446 
			 Chairmen  25 24 22 33 34 72 125 147 
			 Miscellaneous DH Wall 36, Wall 26   
			 Department admin (current)  (27)270 (27)270 271 270 291 314 336 329 
			 Centrally held managed services current (excluding EEA medical costs)  (27)120 (27)140 (27)210 314 313 414 313 632 
			 Family health services gross expenditure (cash and resource) England DR Table 6. 10   
			 Total general medical services and personal medical services  2,873 3,033 3,158 3,420 3,734 3,919 4,084 4,623 
			 General dental services  1,325 1,349 1,439 1,479 1,561 1,638 1,709 1,767 
			 Personal dental services (discretionary)4 12 21 36 41 65 
			 General ophthalmic services  237 241 240 281 290 302 304 322 
			   
			 Grand total expenditure on staff and pay  20,405 21,132 22,403 24,484 26,742 29,834 32,699 36,298 
			 Percentage of total expenditure on staff and pay  62% 61% 61% 59% 60% 57% 58% 58% 
		
	
	(26)Effect of HMT technical change (discount rate from 6 per cent. to 3.5 per cent. on provisions) increased the total Department spend by about 2 billion in 200102. This did not affect the purchasing power of the Department. However, leads to a 2 per cent. reduction in the percentage of total expenditure on staff and pay.
	(27)Estimated.
	
		Table 2: Absolute and proportion of NHS expenditure on staff and pay (real in 200304 prices)  --  million
		
			  Data source 199697 199798 199899 19992000 200001 200102 200203 200304 
		
		
			 GDP deflator  84.46 86.95 89.21 90.97 92.16 94.43 97.43 100.00 
			 Total NHS DEL DR2005 3.1 39,069 39,865 41,036 45,337 48,701 55,563 57,560 63,000 
			   
			 Pay bill: Trusts, PCTs and SHAs DHAccounts:Table7.9   
			 General and senior managers  1,027 1,048 1,068 1,159 1,288 1,410 1,612 1,777 
			 Medics  3,142 3,275 3,499 3,808 4,228 4,737 5,171 6,023 
			 Dentists  98 98 95 103 109 122 126 119 
			 Nurses  7,453 7,378 7,521 8,058 8,575 9,346 9,897 10,371 
			 Profession allied to medicine  999 1,004 1,040 1,124 1,211 1,320 1,392 1,479 
			 Professional and scientific  671 682 699 756 822 903 957 1,037 
			 Professional and technical  542 554 592 624 685 746 816 893 
			 Other scientific, therapeutic and technical  97 94 104 112 121 123 118 129 
			 Admin and clerical  2,052 2,031 2,090 2,186 2,345 2,588 2,795 3,000 
			 Maintenance  289 263 257 254 255 255 245 237 
			 Ambulance  385 383 398 400 429 459 490 524 
			 Health care assistants  1,091 1,089 1,078 1,114 1,136 1,179 1,213 1,251 
			 All other staff  39 35 25 30 48 59 133 125 
			 Non-NHS staff  534 552 656 803 990 1,259 1,500 1,446 
			 Chairmen  29 27 25 36 37 76 129 147 
			 Miscellaneous DH Wall 36, Wall 26   
			 Department admin (current)  (28)320 (28)311 304 297 316 332 345 329 
			 Centrally held managed services current (excluding EEA medical costs)  (28)142 (28)161 (28)235 (28)345 340 438 321 632 
			 Family health services gross expenditure (cash and resource), England DR Table 6.10   
			 Total general medical services and personal medical services  3,402 3,488 3,540 3,760 4,052 4,150 4,192 4,623 
			 General dental services  1,569 1,551 1,613 1,626 1,694 1,735 1,754 1,767 
			 Personal dental services (discretionary)4 13 23 38 42 65 
			 General ophthalmic services  281 277 269 309 315 320 312 322 
			   
			 Grand total expenditure on staff and pay  24,160 24,302 25,113 26,916 29,018 31,593 33,560 36,298 
			 Percentage of total expenditure on staff and pay  62% 61% 61% 59% 60% 57% 58% 58% 
		
	
	(28)Estimated.

NHS Finance

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the spending of the (a) Cheshire and Merseyside and (b) Cumbria and Lancashire strategic health authorities has been in each of the last three years.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Expenditure by the relevant strategic health authorities (SHAs) for 200203, 200304 and 200405 -- (000)
		
			 SHA 200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 Cheshire and Merseyside 208,150 158,778 182,356 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire 436,695 424,989 65,022 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Expenditure is taken from audited health authority summarisation forms which are prepared on a resource basis and therefore differ from cash allocations in the year. The figures have not been adjusted for inflation.
	2.Figures have been adjusted to eliminate expenditure which would be double counted where an authority acts as a lead in commissioning health care or other services.
	3.The majority of expenditure of the SHAs is for education, training and research.
	4.Reductions in expenditure between 200203 and 200304 are caused by the further transfer of commissioning from strategic health authorities to primary care trusts.
	5.Cumbria and Lancashire SHA. In 200405, the student grants unit expenditure (369 million in 00304) was transferred to the NHS Pensions Agency.
	Source:
	Audited summarisation forms of the SHAs.

NHS Finance

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the annual expenditure by her Department per capita in England relative to the figure in (a) Wales, (b) Scotland and (c) Northern Ireland.

Liam Byrne: Expenditure by per head of population in the National Health Service (strategic health authorities and primary care trusts) in England is 1,309.54. Comparable figures for Wales and Scotland are a matter for the devolved administrations. While the institutions in Northern Ireland are dissolved, responsibility for comparable figures rests with ministers in the Northern Ireland Office.

NHS Finance (Surrey and Sussex)

Laura Moffatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many independent financial investigations have been conducted at Surrey and Sussex NHS Trust in the last five years.

Caroline Flint: Surrey and Sussex Strategic Health Authority (SHA) has advised that there have been two independent financial investigations at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare National Health Service Trust in the last year.
	Surrey and Sussex SHA commissioned a review from Alan Meekings, Management Consultant for Landmark Consulting, which was submitted to the SHA in December 2004 and discussed at the SHA Board meeting in February 2005.
	In addition, the Audit Commission published a public interest report into the finances at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust in March 2005.

NHS Land Sales

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the (a) charges and (b) receipts from NHS land sales have been each year since 1990.

Liam Byrne: Details of national health service land sales are not held centrally.
	However the table shows, drawn from the annual accounts of the various bodies concerned, receipts from the sale of all fixed assets by family health service authorities, health authorities, strategic health authorities, primary care trusts and national health service trusts in England from 199495 (the earliest date what information is available in this format). Details of charges relating to land sales are not held centrally.
	
		(000)
		
			  Receipts from all fixed assets 
		
		
			 199495 202,258 
			 199596 254,493 
			 199697 129,756 
			 199798 252,795 
			 199899 191,380 
			 1999 2000 290,961 
			 200001 390,869 
			 200102 766,411 
			 200203 1,078,294 
			 200304 397,975 
			 200405 455,625

NHS Pensions Agency

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action she is taking to ensure the NHS Pensions Agency collects comprehensive evidence on student bursary payments for the purposes of the auditing of its accounts.

Liam Byrne: The NHS Pensions Agency is currently undertaking an internal audit to check that all personal files for students in receipt of an national health service bursary contain all the necessary documentation to support payment of the bursary.

NHS Professionals

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS trusts have joined the NHS Professionals scheme to date for the provision of (a) nurses and (b) doctors.

Liam Byrne: NHS Professionals is providing services to 136 national health service trusts. Of these 64 trusts have the nurses' service only; 60 doctors service only; and 12 have both.

NHS Professionals

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) shifts and (b) hours for (i) nurses and (ii)doctors needed cover over the past 12 months; and how many in each category were filled by NHS Professionals.

Liam Byrne: Data on number of shifts and hours for doctors and nurses needing cover is not collected centrally.

NHS Reconfiguration

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will extend the consultation period on the proposed reconfiguration of strategic health authorities and primary care trusts.

Liam Byrne: Strategic health authority proposals for reconfiguration will be assessed to see whether they meet the criteria originally stated in the Commissioning a Patient-Led NHS document, and this process should be complete in time for the three-month public consultation to begin in December. There are no plans to change these arrangements.

NHS Reconfiguration

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many strategic health authorities have gone out to tender for private management of the proposed new primary care trusts; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: As part of the proposals for primary care trust (PCT) reconfiguration, one strategic health authority (SHA) has proposed to procure an external management team to run one of their newly proposed PCTs. However, this proposal will not be considered during the forthcoming public consultation as it is for the new PCTs, not the current SHAs, who should decide how best to manage their responsibilities after reconfiguration.

NHS Staff

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many compulsory redundancies of NHS staff there have been in each year since 199798, broken down by staff group.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not collected centrally.

NHS Staff

Peter Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to mitigate stress suffered by NHS employees.

Liam Byrne: NHS Employers are responsible for supporting the National Health Service to mitigate stress suffered by NHS employees in England. They are working closely with the Health and Safety Executive to provide guidance and support. This includes the development of a new campaign, Stress. How are you doing?, which was launched on 2 November 2005.

NHS Staff

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many employees aged over 70 years are working in the national health service in West Lancashire.

Liam Byrne: As at 30 September 2004, there were no employees aged over 70 years working in the national health service in the West Lancashire constituency area.

NHS Suppliers

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 31 October 2005, Official Report, column 846W, on NHS suppliers, what procedures are in place to ensure her Department is informed of representations to NHS organisations from suppliers to the NHS on the issue of the payment; and if her Department will remind (a) NHS trusts, (b) primary care trusts and (c) NHS professionals of their requirement to pay 95 per cent. of undisputed invoices within contract terms or 30 days where no terms have been agreed.

Liam Byrne: Current guidance is included in the manual for accounts and is available on the Department's finance manual website at www.info.doh.gov.uk/doh/finman.nsf
	One of the functions of strategic health authorities is to monitor the performance of individual national health service bodies, report this to the Department and work with poor performing organisations to achieve and maintain a level of payment performance consistent with Government accounting regulations and the better payment practice code.

NHS Trusts

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance has been given to NHS trusts on priority to be attached to (a) balancing the budget and (b) achieving their waiting list targets.

Liam Byrne: National Standards, Local Action was published in July 2004 and is available in the Library and on the Department's website at www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/08/60/58/04086058.pdf It sets out what is expected of national health service and social care organisations for the three financial years 200506 to 200708 in terms of national priorities and health care standards. The guidance covers expectations in relation to waiting times and finance.

Overseas Doctors

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has issued to overseas doctors being recruited to the NHS about the effect on the number of training posts of planned changes under modernising medical careers.

Liam Byrne: Information on working in the national health service is available at www.nhscareers.nhs.uk. Specifically, information on modernising medical careers is available at www.mmc.nhs.uk. This information is updated regularly and currently contains information on foundation programmes available across the United Kingdom in 2006.
	There is no intention to reduce the number of posts as a result of the proposed modernising medical careers changes to the structure of training programmes.

Parliamentary Questions

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she will reply to Question 24618, tabled on 31 October; what the reason is for the delay in replying; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 11 November 2005
	I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on Monday 21 November, Official Report, column 1723W.

Primary Care Trusts

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria are used by each strategic health authority for allocating funds to primary care trusts.

Liam Byrne: Revenue allocations are made directly to primary care trusts (PCTs), not by strategic health authorities. These allocations are made on the basis of the relative needs of their populations. A weighted capitation formula is used to determine each PCTs target share of available resources.
	The components of the formula are used to weight each PCTs crude population according to their relative need (age, and additional need) for health care and the unavoidable geographical differences in the cost of providing health care (market forces factor).

Primary Care Trusts

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the impact the reform of primary care trusts will have on community hospitals.

Liam Byrne: It is too early to make an assessment of the impact that changes to primary care trusts will have on community hospitals. Policy work is in progress on the range of services that a modern community hospital could offer and the outcomes of the Your Health, Your Care, Your Say consultation will influence this.

Primary Care Trusts

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list strategic health authorities which are proposing the outsourcing of the management and delivery of the commissioning function of primary care trusts.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 19 October 2005
	As part of the proposals for primary care trust (PCT) reconfiguration, one strategic health authority (SHA) has proposed to procure an external management team to run one of their newly proposed PCTs. However, this proposal will not be considered during the forthcoming public consultation as we believe it is the new PCTs, not the current SHAs, who should decide how best to manage their responsibilities after reconfiguration.

Radiographers

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason Agenda for Change arrangements place both junior radiographers and senior II radiographers in the same salary band; and what assessment she has made of the implications of this policy on recruitment and retention in the profession.

Liam Byrne: Under Agenda for Change, the basic pay that staff receives reflects the knowledge, responsibility, skills and effort required for their job as measured by the new national health service job evaluation scheme, rather than their previous job title. Agenda for Change also has generally fewer pay bands than the Whitley system it replaces. For these reasons, there is no guarantee that staff in different Whitley grades in the past will be in different pay bands under Agenda for Change.
	In the case of radiography, there have been concerns about the wording in some national job profiles which assist trusts in assimilating radiographers to the new pay system. The job evaluation group, a sub-group of the NHS Staff Council, is currently working with the Society of Radiographers to revise the band five and band six national profiles.
	This work cannot guarantee that senior II radiographers will be in a higher pay band than basic grade radiographers. It will however help ensure that assimilation decisions are appropriate. In addition, where trusts consider that pay levels are insufficient to recruit or retain staff, they are allowed to pay recruitment and retention premia of up to 30 per cent. of basic pay. For these reasons, it is not anticipated that the move to the new system will result in recruitment problems in the profession.

Ambulance Service

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people involved in road accidents have died before the arrival of an ambulance in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) England in each year since 1997.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not centrally collected.

Sexual Health

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people under 16 years attended a sexual health clinic in (a) Ribble Valley and (b) Lancashire in the last year for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 16 November 2005
	Sexual health services are provided at genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinics and community contraception clinics. For community contraception clinics data is not collected by primary care trusts but is available for first contacts at clinics. The data shows that there were 5,000 first contacts by young people aged under 16 within the Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic Health Authority (SHA) in 200405.
	For GUM clinics the number of attendances are not available by age group, but age group data are collected for a selection of diagnoses and a total of 85 diagnoses 1 were made in young people aged under 16 in 2004. The data is for diagnoses made at GUM clinics within the Cumbria and Lancashire SHA and not by the patients' area of residence. For confidentiality reasons, this data is only routinely published at SHA level.
	Note:
	1 Diagnosed conditions: gonorrhoea, herpes, genital warts and chlamydia.

Smoking

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence plans to publish its public health programme guidance on smoking cessation.

Jane Kennedy: This is a matter for the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). Information about the current work programme of NICE is available on its website at www.nice.org.uk. I understand that NICE's public health intervention guidance on smoking cessation is scheduled to be issued for publication in March 2006 and that its broader public health programme guidance on smoking cessation is scheduled for publication in July 2007.

Smoking

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the financial impact of a smoking ban in public places on bingo clubs.

Caroline Flint: A regulatory impact assessment (RIA) has been published alongside the Health Bill. The RIA contains estimates of cost and benefits of legislation to end smoking in enclosed public places and work places. Economic analyses of every sub-sector of the economy that might be affected were not undertaken.
	A copy is available in the Library.

Smoking

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what basis the regulatory impact assessment accompanying the Health Bill has calculated that a ban on smoking in public places will have no disproportionate impact on (a) smokers with mental illness, (b) black and ethnic minority smokers and (c) single mothers in deprived areas.

Caroline Flint: Calculations of impact in the regulatory impact assessment (RIA) are made on the basis of the best evidence available.
	A partial RIA on smoke free proposals in the Choosing Health White paper was published in November 2004. This was updated and published as part of the consultation run by the Department in June 2005. A final version was published alongside the Health Bill in October 2005.

Smoking

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the smoking prevalence for (a) adults and (b) minors in England has been in each of the last 10years, broken down by sex.

Caroline Flint: The prevalence of cigarette smoking amongst adults and minors are shown in the tables. Until 2000, questions on smoking were asked biannually in the general household survey.
	For minors, we have provided data for persons aged 11 to 15, referred to as pupils in the relevant publication.
	
		Prevalence of cigarette smoking among adults (persons aged 16 and over) by sex in England: 1992 to 2003 -- Percentage
		
			  Men Women All persons 
		
		
			 Unweighted data  
			 1992 29 27 28 
			 1994 28 25 26 
			 1996 28 27 28 
			 1998 28 26 27 
			 
			 Weighted data
			 1998 29 26 28 
			 2000 29 25 27 
			 2001 28 25 27 
			 2002 27 25 26 
			 2003 27 24 25 
		
	
	Source:
	ONS Living in Britain: Results from the 1998 and 2003 General Household Surveys.
	
		Prevalence of cigarette smoking among pupils(persons aged 1115) by sex in England: 1992 to 2004 -- Percentage
		
			 Pupils aged 1115 Boys Girls All pupils 
		
		
			 1992 9 10 10 
			 1993 8 11 10 
			 1994 10 13 12 
			 1996 11 15 13 
			 1998 9 12 11 
			 1999 8 10 9 
			 2000 9 12 10 
			 2001 8 11 10 
			 2002 9 11 10 
			 2003 7 11 9 
			 2004 7 10 9 
		
	
	Source:
	NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre: Smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England in 2004.

Social Care Services

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to improve access to community health and social care services for those who experience difficulty in understanding English.

Rosie Winterton: The national health service is founded on the principles of equal access and equal treatment for all. Providing communications support to service users is not an optional extra; this is driven by the requirement to comply with legislation and supporting guidance. The Disability Discrimination Act 1995, the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 and the Human Rights Act 1998 make it imperative for public organisations, including primary care trusts, other NHS bodies and local councils, to provide language and other communications support to individuals seeking help. Various pieces of guidance and advice issued to the NHS and social care in recent years have emphasised this point. In addition, since October 2004, NHS Direct has ensured that all callers who have difficulty in speaking English, and prefer to speak in other languages, can have a telephone interpreter on the line during a consultation. The service is available 24 hours a day seven days a week.

Tobacco Advertising

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if 
	(1)  she will make a statement on the operation of the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002;
	(2)  how many (a) males and (b) females have been (i) charged and (ii) convicted in England and Wales of offences under Sections (A) 2 and (B) 3 of the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002 in each year since 2003;
	(3)  how many (a) males and (b) females relied on a defence under Section 5 of the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002 in the last year for which figures are available.

Caroline Flint: The Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002 has been operating very effectively in the almost three years that it has been in force. It has had a significant impact in reducing smoking. The Act is enforced by Trading Standards Officers who do regular monitoring of local businesses. According to Trading Standards Officers, compliance with the Act appears to be very good. The Advertising Standards Authority also monitors advertisements. There have been no prosecutions and there has been only one formal caution, and no prosecutions under the Act.

Vanguard Proposals

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects her Department to reach a decision on the Vanguard proposals for additional health care provision in Plymouth.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 11 November 2005
	The Department is currently in the process of reviewing this case. Once this review is complete we will be in a position to make a decision and communicate this to the trust.

VAT

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether value added tax is charged on supplies to the NHS; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: Value added tax (VAT) is chargeable on supplies to the national health service in accordance with the normal VAT regulations. Irrecoverable VAT is taken into account in NHS funding.

Waiting Times

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time was in each of the last seven years for (a) an in-patient and (b) an out-patient admission in (i) Horsham and (ii) England.

Liam Byrne: The median waiting times for in-patient and out-patient admission for each of the last seven years at Horsham Chanctonbury primary care trust, previously West Sussex health authority and England are shown in the following table.
	
		Estimated average time patients have been waiting for elective admission, March 1998 to March 2005. Commissioner based.
		
			  Median waiting time (weeks) 
			 March Horsham and Chanctonbury PCT West Sussex HA England 
		
		
			 1998  23.0 14.9 
			 1999  19.5 12.9 
			 2000  18.7 12.9 
			 2001  18.8 12.6 
			 2002  16.6 12.7 
			 2003 12.94  11.9 
			 2004 11.39  10.2 
			 2005 10.42  8.5 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health form QF01
	
		Estimated average waiting time for first outpatient appointment following GP written referral, March 1998 to March 2005. Commissioner based.
		
			  Median waiting time (weeks) 
			 March Horsham and Chanctonbury PCT West Sussex HA England 
		
		
			 1998  7.0 6.4 
			 1999  8.0 7.0 
			 2000  9.0 7.7 
			 2001  8.4 7.5 
			 2002  9.3 7.6 
			 2003 9.53  7.4 
			 2004 8.90  7.1 
			 2005 8.05  7.0 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Horsham and Chanctonbury PCT established in April 2002.
	2.Figures before then are shown for West Sussex health authority.
	Source:
	Department of Health form QM08R

Waiting Times

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time in accident and emergency departments is for each NHS trust in each year since 1997.

Liam Byrne: Information is not collected on the average waiting time in accident and emergency (A and E) departments. Since quarter two, 200203 information on the number and percentage of all attenders who were admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours of arrival at A and E has been collected and published quarterly. This information is shown in the table and is also available on the Department's website at: www.performance.doh.gov.uk/hospitalactivity/data_requests/index.htm.
	
		Average waiting times in A and E
		
			  Quarter Percentage of patients who spent less than four hours in A and E 
		
		
			 200203 2 77 
			 200203 3 78 
			 200203 4 82 
			 200304 1 90 
			 200304 2 91 
			 200304 3 91 
			 200304 4 93 
			 200405 1 95 
			 200405 2 96 
			 200405 3 97 
			 200405 4 97 
			 200506 1 98

Your Health, Your Care, Your Say

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many Your Health, Your Care, Your Say consultation meetings were organised by each strategic health authority; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not held centrally. Some strategic health authorities coordinated and others left this to primary care trusts.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Under-age Drinking

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government are taking to reduce the number of youths (a) drinking and (b) buying alcohol.

Paul Goggins: The Government take underage drinking extremely seriously. That is why we are taking forward work through the Alcohol Harm Reduction Programme to tackle it. Recent activities in the Programme have included the Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaigns in which the police have clamped down on underage drinkingthrough fixed penalty notices for both buying alcohol while underage and those who buy alcohol on behalf of children, test-purchase operations on licensed premises and confiscating alcohol from young people.
	We have also been working closely with the alcohol industry to develop a Principles and Standards document which includes a commitment to prevent sales to under-18s through a Challenge 21 approach and better staff training. The Licensing Act 2003, which comes into force on 24 November 2005, will make it an offence to sell alcohol to minors anywhere in England and Wales, and introduces tougher penalties for those who do. The Violent Crime Reduction Bill builds on this through new powers for the police to close premises for up to 48-hours where alcohol is persistently sold to under-18s.

Alcohol-related Offences

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people under the age of 30 years in the area corresponding most closely to Lancaster and Wyre constituency (a) were subject to alcohol treatment orders and (b) were convicted of alcohol-related offences (i) in the last 12 months and (ii)in each year since 1997.

Paul Goggins: The number of offenders under the age of 30 who were proceeded against or committed from Lancaster and Wyre magistrates courts and given a community rehabilitation order with drug/alcohol treatment is provided in the following table. It is not possible to identify the number of persons under the age of 30 who were found guilty of alcohol-related offences, as the individual circumstances of the offence are not collected. Statistics for 2004 will be available in late November.
	
		Number of offenders under the age of 30 proceeded against or committed from Lancaster and Wyre magistrates courts and given a community rehabilitation order with drug/alcohol treatment, 19972003
		
			  Number issued 
		
		
			 1997 6 
			 1998 11 
			 1999 5 
			 2000 1 
			 2001 - 
			 2002 1 
			 2003 - 
		
	
	Note:
	These data are on the principal offence basis.
	Source:
	RDSOffice for Criminal Justice Reform

Algerian Nationals

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Algerian nationals have been granted (a) indefinite leave to remain and(b) British nationality in each of the last eight years.

Tony McNulty: Statistics on settlement (indefinite leave to enter and remain) by nationality and British nationality are published annually. The latest published information on settlement is in the annual Command Paper Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom, 2003. The 2004 edition is due to be published in November.
	Information on British nationality is published in annual statistical bulletins entitled Persons Granted British Citizenship. The latest edition is that for 2004. Copies are available from the Library and on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html

Asylum/Immigration

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his policy on the payment of benefits to asylum seekers following the ruling of the Law Lords on 3 November.

Tony McNulty: The House of Lords ruling in Limbuela and Others leaves intact a fundamental principle within our approach to asylum which is that people should claim as soon as they arrive in the country. The Law Lords have recognised that there are difficult decisions to be made and each case has to be judged on its individual merits. We are studying very carefully their judgment and considering whether we need to make any adjustments to our existing procedures and processes.
	We are adopting tough new means to crack down on opportunistic behaviour. In particular, we are setting up tightly managed new processes for handling late and opportunistic claims as part of the new asylum model announced in the Government's Five-Year Strategy for Asylum and Immigration. The impact of this will be that those who seek to play the system will receive a very quick asylum decision and so will, in reality, have very limited access to benefitshould they qualify for this while that decision is being taken.

Asylum/Immigration

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the implications of section 9 of the Asylum and Immigration Act 2004 on the responsibilities of local authorities under the Children Act 1989;
	(2)  what representations he has received from directors of social services in England about the impact of section 9 of the Asylum and Immigration Act 2004 on the welfare of children;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the compatibility of section 9 of the Asylum and Immigration Act 2004 with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child;
	(4)  how the experience of children of failed asylum seekers will be assessed in the evaluation of the piloting of section 9 of the Asylum and Immigration Act 2004 in London, Manchester and Yorkshire; and whether the resource implications of the pilots for local authorities will be taken into account in the evaluation.

Tony McNulty: It was always clear that there would be risks and challenges for both local authorities and the Immigration and Nationality Directorate of the Home Office in implementing section nine. The section nine pilot was set up to provide a controlled environment in which these problems could be explored. A detailed evaluation of the pilot is planned over the next few weeks. Officials will be contacting social services departments and other key stakeholders in the areas covered by the pilot.
	They will be asked for their views to enable quantitative and qualitative data to be gathered on the process and the effect the provision has had on families and local and central Government. This evaluation will take into consideration the impact upon social services, and this will include any resource implications.
	The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child contains a reservation in favour of the United Kingdom enabling it to apply such legislation as it deems necessary in the interests of the United Kingdom immigration control. Two letters have been received from Directors of Social Services.

Asylum/Immigration

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research he has evaluated on the implications of setting a limit on immigration to the United kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: As set out in the Home Office Five Year Strategy for Asylum and Immigration, the Government encourages migration for work through a flexible system that is principally employer-led and responsive to market needs. In a flexible and dynamic labour market such as that of the UK, it is considered to be impractical and counter-productive to try and set limits in a rigid and arbitrary way. Such limits could prevent the UK bringing in the skilled workers we need.
	Detailed work is being progressed on the development of the proposals for a new points based migration system contained in the consultation document: Selective Admission: Making migration work for Britain. The Government intends to publish a formal response to the consultation next year.

Asylum/Immigration

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many calls have been made to (a) the MPs hotline and (b) each other section of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate in each quarter of each of the last three years; what the average time taken to answer each call was in each section; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The following tables provide the information requested on the performance of the MPs hotline and on the other call centres in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. The MPs hotline receives between 2,500 to 3,500 calls per month of which the majority are answered in three to four seconds.
	The other call centres in the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Directorate receive substantially more calls than the MPs hotline and their time taken to answer ranges from less than one minute to over four minutes for the Nationality Helpdesk in Liverpool. The Nationality Helpdesk was created on 31 January 2005.
	
		MPs hotline
		
			  Number of calls made Average time taken to answer 
		
		
			 July to September 2003 6,530 (29) 
			 October to December 2003 6,627 (29) 
			 January to March 2004 7,076 (29) 
			 April to June 2004 7,633 (29) 
			 July to September 2004 8,592 (29) 
			 October to December 2004 8,092 (29) 
			 January to March 2005 8,701 (29) 
			 April to June 2005 6,466 (29) 
			 July to September 2005 9,955 (29) 
			 October to 4 November 3,929 (29) 
		
	
	(29)Information not available currently but 79 per cent. of calls answered in 3 to 4 seconds.
	
		Evidence and enquiries including employers helpline
		
			  Number of calls made Average time taken to answer 
		
		
			 January to March 2004 35,057 (30) 
			 April to June 2004 47,665 (30) 
			 July to September 2004 37,859 (30) 
			 October to December 2004 36,778 (30) 
			 January to March 2005 36,459 (30) 
			 April to June 2005 40,019 (30) 
			 July to September 2005 37,334 (30) 
			 October to 4 November 11,620 (30) 
		
	
	(30)Information not available but 95 per cent. of calls answered in 15 seconds.
	
		Work permits UK contact centre, Sheffield
		
			  Number of calls made Average time taken to answer 
		
		
			 January to March 2003 n /a n /a 
			 April to June 2003 n /a n /a 
			 July to September 2003 n /a n /a 
			 October to December 2003 n /a n /a 
			 January to March 2004 n /a n /a 
			 April to June 2004 n /a n /a 
			 July to September 2004 n /a n /a 
			 October to December 2004 n /a n /a 
			 January to March 2005 n /a n /a 
			 April to June 2005 116,576 3:14 
			 July to September 2005 61,576 1:43 
			 October to 4 November 24,480 2:16 
		
	
	n/a = Information not available.
	
		Nationality helpdesk, Liverpool
		
			  Number of calls made Average time taken to answer 
		
		
			 January to March 2005 n /a 9:40 
			 April to June 2005 455,747 6:23 
			 July to September 2005 378,186 5:26 
			 October to 4 November 189,993 4:44 
		
	
	n/a =Information not available.
	
		Immigration and Nationality Enquiry Bureau, Croydon
		
			  Number of calls made Number of calls handled Average time taken to answer 
		
		
			 October to December 2003 n /a 347,343 2:15 
			 January to March 2004 n /a 397,909 1:33 
			 April to June 2004 n /a 379,062 2:05 
			 July to September 2004 n /a 386,900 2:38 
			 October to December 2004 n /a 393,090 1:44 
			 January to March 2005 n /a 394,363 2:01 
			 April to June 2005 1,196,005 373,441 1:34 
			 July to September 2005 1,300,247 391,954 1:22 
			 October to 9 November (31)459,224 (31)155,052 (31)0:55 
		
	
	n/a = Information not available.
	(31)YTD.

Biometrics Trials

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the volunteers in the UKPS Biometrics Enrolment Trial failed to enrol successfully in one or more biometric.

Andy Burnham: The UKPS biometric enrolment trial was designed to demonstrate the feasibility of large-scale biometric enrolment and provide data on perceptions and attitudes, and on the timing of enrolment processes. It was not a trial of technology and the technical solution used was not optimised to give maximum enrolment performance. Failure to enrol in the UKPS trial should not be taken as an absolute indication that a participant is unable to enrol a specific biometric rather that enrolment was not successful using the range of equipment available during the trial, in the limited time available and within the context of the trial. The trial report, with this data can be found at http://www.identitycards.gov.uk/publications.html

Border Police

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with (a) police chief constables and (b) the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis about the introduction of a British border police force; and if he will make a statement.

Charles Clarke: I have had a number of discussions with the Chief Constable Chair of ACPO and the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis on the management of United Kingdom borders.
	The Government have no plans at present to create a single border control police force or agency. The White Paper One Step AheadA 21st Century Strategy to Defeat Organised Crime tasked Customs, IND and the police to work together to develop options for providing more effective border controls through enhanced inter-agency co-operation. With this in view, the Border Management Programme was established to take this forward. The programme reports to Home Office and Treasury Ministers.
	It is establishing more effective collaborative working between the border agencies to better target threats to UK security and to ensure that legitimate traffic can pass smoothly across our borders.

Child Safety

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government are taking to improve child safety on the streets.

Paul Goggins: The Street Crime Initiative, launched in 2002, was aimed at improving the safety of individuals on the streets. The initiative succeeded in reversing the sharp upward trend in robbery levels and, over three years, reduced robbery by 32 per cent. in the ten street crime areas. The lessons learned from the initiative form the basis of good practice guidance which has been disseminated to all police forces by the Association of Chief Police Officers.
	Throughout the course of the initiative, a range of preventative and intervention schemes aimed at young people were introduced, for example Positive Activities for Young People and Safer School Partnerships, which now play a key part in the delivery of the cross departmental programme to tackle youth crime.
	Another example is the SAFE campaign. In January 2005, in conjunction with Crime stoppers, we ran SAFE-a national anti-robbery week in schools. The campaign, which included assembly and lesson plans, provided young people with the knowledge and skills to avoid situations that increase their vulnerability to street crime. It supported and reinforced messages and information provided by local schemes, such as the Street Wise project in Havering, which raises young people's awareness and assists in increasing their personal safety. The campaign was delivered to 1114 year olds in secondary schools throughout England and Wales. We are currently updating the materials with a view to running the campaign again in January 2006.

Child Trafficking

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many child traffickers have been convicted of offences and deported back to their country of origin in each of the last five years.

Paul Goggins: holding answer 8 November 2005
	It is not possible to provide this information as there is no specific offence of child trafficking.

Correspondence

Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Minister for Immigration will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood, dated 18 July, acknowledgement reference B16627/5, Home Office reference S1296860.

Tony McNulty: The Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to my right hon. Friend on 17 November 2005.

Correspondence

Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Minister for Immigration will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood, dated 22 August, acknowledgement reference B19909/5, Home Office reference S1193198.

Tony McNulty: The Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to my right hon. Friend on 10 November 2005.

Crack Houses

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crack houses have been (a) identified and (b) closed in each (i) police authority and (ii) London borough since 2001.

Paul Goggins: Data is not routinely collected centrally on the number of crack houses identified or closed in England and Wales. A one off survey by Government office regions revealed that in the period 20 January to the end of September 2004 158 crack houses were closed. The following table sets out the detail. During Operation Crackdown, the intensive police operation that took place between 12 January and 31 March 2005 the 33 participating police forces reported closing 175 crack houses.
	
		
			 Government office region Crack houses closed 
		
		
			 South East 23 
			 South West 24 
			 East Midlands 10 
			 West Midlands 3 
			 North West 13 
			 North East 7 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 4 
			 Wales 5 
			 London 64 
			 East of England 5

Crime (Hemel Hempstead)

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the level of drug-related crime has been in Hemel Hempstead constituency in each year since 1997.

Paul Goggins: Recorded crime figures are used to measure trends in crime in local areas. These statistics include information on drugs offences, such as possession and supply, and acquisitive crimes which may be drug-related, such as burglary and shoplifting, at the police force area level. They do not contain information on the offender's drug habits or motivation for offending.
	It is therefore not possible to provide reliable estimates from these statistics of the numbers of crimes that are drug-related from year to year for Hemel Hempstead constituency.

Criminal Records Checks

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average time for enhanced Criminal Records Bureau checks for health professionals to be processed and approved was in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Andy Burnham: The information requested by the hon. Member for Northavon is not available. The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) is unable to provide information on Disclosure applications based on specific employment sectors. The CRB aims to complete Disclosure applications across all sectors within the shortest time possible. Its published service standards are to issue 93 per cent. of Standard Disclosures within two weeks and 90 per cent. of Enhanced Disclosures within four weeks for all employment sectors.

Departmental Staff (Sikh Dress)

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in defining a code of practice concerning the wearing of Kirpans by Sikh employees of his Department and its agencies; and if he will make a statement.

Charles Clarke: The Home Office generally allows the wearing of the Kirpan by Sikh employees and this practice is not covered by any formal Code of Practice.
	In operational areas of the department, for example the Prison Service and the Immigration Service there will be occasions where, for reasons of security, it is not permitted for either staff or visitors to wear the Kirpan. In these circumstances arrangements are in place to ensure that particular care is taken to respect their religious significance.
	Having reviewed existing arrangements we do not consider that there is currently a need to formalise them by drawing up a specific code of practice.

Departmental Staff (Sikh Dress)

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has issued to the Passport Agency on the wearing of Kirpans by Sikhs visiting the agency to obtain passports.

Andy Burnham: To ensure particular issues relevant to Sikh customers are handled sensitively, the United Kingdom Passport Service (UKPS) has provided briefing and guidance on diversity issues to its frontline staff; and where Sikh customers feel unable to remove the Kirpan, alternative arrangements are made for their application to be examined, and their passport collected which allows Sikh customers to keep the Kirpan with them at all times.
	These measures have been introduced following consultation with the Home Office and other organisations. They are based on risk assessments which are kept under regular review. The UKPS is satisfied they fulfil its duty of care to its customers and staff, while ensuring no discrimination against any section of society.

Deportations

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are awaiting deportation from the UK due to failed asylum and immigration applications.

Tony McNulty: This information is not available. Published statistics on immigration and asylum issues are available on the Home Office's Research Development and Statistics website: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html

Drugs Offences

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) arrests, (b) convictions and (c) cautions there were in each police authority area for offences relating to (i) the possession and (ii) dealing in class (A) A, (B) B and (C)C drugs in each year since 1997.

Paul Goggins: Data from the Home Office Court Proceedings Database on the number of cautions and convictions for possession of and dealing in drugs, broken down by class of drug, is provided in the following table. Data for 2004 will be available at the end of November. The information requested on arrests is not collected centrally.
	
		Number of offenders found guilty for selected drug offences, by police force area: England and Wales, 1997 to 2003
		
			 Offence 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Possession of a class A drug
			 Avon and Somerset 205 183 239 219 209 192 182 
			 Bedfordshire 30 57 82 79 112 62 25 
			 Cambridgeshire 48 76 97 86 119 100 77 
			 Cheshire 180 221 238 209 200 161 134 
			 Cleveland 41 94 135 196 195 267 257 
			 Cumbria 62 78 68 69 68 101 104 
			 Derbyshire 64 76 106 149 167 166 160 
			 Devon and Cornwall 170 141 182 206 257 361 469 
			 Dorset 67 102 141 178 173 195 186 
			 Durham 24 30 27 67 126 123 123 
			 Essex 117 163 198 193 198 167 164 
			 Gloucestershire 54 88 100 141 149 128 107 
			 Greater Manchester 314 324 277 346 361 381 425 
			 Hampshire 117 158 217 291 308 285 283 
			 Hertfordshire 60 57 78 85 97 84 110 
			 Humberside 83 84 100 113 125 98 124 
			 Kent 75 112 199 236 242 289 218 
			 Lancashire 262 319 288 326 357 391 339 
			 Leicestershire 63 80 122 170 250 221 175 
			 Lincolnshire 64 63 50 53 183 154 151 
			 London 1,503 2,089 2,557 2,376 2,434 2,384 2,158 
			 Merseyside 270 314 319 305 284 288 355 
			 Norfolk 76 92 113 117 131 150 162 
			 North Yorkshire 116 114 138 121 77 77 79 
			 Northamptonshire 31 76 84 76 91 60 46 
			 Northumbria 90 123 193 285 478 461 505 
			 Nottinghamshire 67 127 194 260 286 275 279 
			 South Yorkshire 261 384 470 513 489 376 379 
			 Staffordshire 183 192 181 140 155 194 211 
			 Suffolk 59 45 61 72 79 98 105 
			 Surrey 58 46 64 82 118 103 87 
			 Sussex 123 116 128 130 163 177 168 
			 Thames Valley 156 238 297 285 293 334 273 
			 Warwickshire 28 30 54 50 58 55 41 
			 West Mercia 82 109 171 195 245 141 163 
			 West Midlands 189 272 409 637 875 861 794 
			 West Yorkshire 734 798 772 692 519 583 542 
			 Wiltshire 47 55 67 118 153 104 80 
			 Dyfed-Powys 59 99 101 137 135 168 137 
			 Gwent 100 185 204 168 154 147 105 
			 North Wales 73 74 79 103 111 119 144 
			 South Wales 80 83 120 165 324 336 359 
			 
			 Possession of a class B drug
			 Avon and Somerset 175 238 300 352 307 306 313 
			 Bedfordshire 240 335 318 230 237 80 75 
			 Cambridgeshire 182 190 172 113 127 108 140 
			 Cheshire 442 590 596 452 397 518 477 
			 Cleveland 105 149 249 261 288 434 472 
			 Cumbria 268 280 243 184 150 205 235 
			 Derbyshire 215 262 315 235 262 252 286 
			 Devon and Cornwall 680 803 712 623 493 596 598 
			 Dorset 133 272 342 304 308 319 369 
			 Durham 140 148 177 255 341 316 323 
			 Essex 566 645 646 619 605 598 549 
			 Gloucestershire 160 210 220 181 236 239 212 
			 Greater Manchester 741 919 969 974 999 1,245 1,452 
			 Hampshire 665 945 1,074 803 530 315 485 
			 Hertfordshire 299 277 266 248 254 287 329 
			 Humberside 196 275 296 270 233 320 339 
			 Kent 700 1,060 1,056 875 815 905 726 
			 Lancashire 799 1,101 981 790 749 874 891 
			 Leicestershire 312 391 307 249 305 380 415 
			 Lincolnshire 381 408 210 180 290 261 297 
			 London 4,184 5,659 5,403 4,802 4,571 5,850 6,346 
			 Merseyside 1,275 1,567 1,403 1,070 1,005 1,377 1,572 
			 Norfolk 367 438 385 269 249 278 356 
			 North Yorkshire 272 428 385 176 119 155 175 
			 Northamptonshire 86 178 150 139 87 73 70 
			 Northumbria 433 896 1,129 1,067 1,174 1,315 1,332 
			 Nottinghamshire 306 327 360 321 327 351 420 
			 South Yorkshire 520 610 692 699 640 672 807 
			 Staffordshire 308 343 305 170 170 258 303 
			 Suffolk 263 284 276 229 183 230 256 
			 Surrey 235 281 337 372 345 330 295 
			 Sussex 396 408 344 297 413 441 419 
			 Thames Valley 637 781 732 607 651 712 625 
			 Warwickshire 85 101 104 106 73 80 101 
			 West Mercia 313 374 345 244 230 211 224 
			 West Midlands 900 1,354 1,275 1,402 1,572 1,794 1,989 
			 West Yorkshire 1,141 1,396 1,209 971 905 956 1,104 
			 Wiltshire 140 202 243 186 226 181 181 
			 Dyfed-Powys 350 566 528 400 497 514 528 
			 Gwent 258 331 339 375 317 272 321 
			 North Wales 293 437 430 316 280 308 389 
			 South Wales 750 900 864 795 1,000 1,223 1,297 
			 
			 Possession of a class C drug
			 Avon and Somerset 1 1 2 6 5 4 8 
			 Bedfordshire 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 
			 Cambridgeshire 1 2 0 0 0 3 0 
			 Cheshire 5 8 4 5 2 1 1 
			 Cleveland 4 4 0 0 0 1 3 
			 Cumbria 1 1 0 0 1 2 4 
			 Derbyshire 4 5 6 5 5 5 4 
			 Devon and Cornwall 4 6 8 0 4 2 6 
			 Dorset 1 2 3 1 1 2 6 
			 Durham 2 1 3 4 3 6 2 
			 Essex 4 2 5 1 0 1 0 
			 Gloucestershire 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 
			 Greater Manchester 12 16 3 9 10 7 11 
			 Hampshire 6 6 5 2 241 371 324 
			 Hertfordshire 1 0 0 0 3 0 1 
			 Humberside 15 17 12 10 8 13 11 
			 Kent 1 9 4 4 6 6 2 
			 Lancashire 10 5 9 7 6 4 8 
			 Leicestershire 2 1 3 5 2 6 6 
			 Lincolnshire 3 1 1 2 1 2 2 
			 London 13 11 12 10 5 9 24 
			 Merseyside 5 11 10 3 3 1 6 
			 Norfolk 1 4 2 2 0 1 0 
			 North Yorkshire 4 4 4 1 1 2 5 
			 Northamptonshire 3 0 0 1 3 3 4 
			 Northumbria 8 19 17 11 18 20 24 
			 Nottinghamshire 1 5 2 1 1 2 6 
			 South Yorkshire 3 9 3 5 4 5 2 
			 Staffordshire 2 6 5 0 2 2 4 
			 Suffolk 0 0 0 2 1 1 2 
			 Surrey 2 1 4 0 0 0 1 
			 Sussex 4 1 2 4 4 3 6 
			 Thames Valley 1 0 3 2 1 3 2 
			 Warwickshire 1 0 0 0 0 2 2 
			 West Mercia 1 1 4 0 3 1 1 
			 West Midlands 1 2 4 2 4 8 5 
			 West Yorkshire 2 6 4 2 2 2 5 
			 Wiltshire 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 
			 Dyfed-Powys 4 5 2 2 7 11 4 
			 Gwent 2 3 2 1 3 3 2 
			 North Wales 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 
			 South Wales 7 9 8 5 6 17 7 
			 
			 Dealing class A
			 Avon and Somerset 103 126 123 115 105 122 157 
			 Bedfordshire 33 37 33 30 47 55 58 
			 Cambridgeshire 16 42 34 46 62 63 146 
			 Cheshire 80 77 94 87 78 102 82 
			 Cleveland 51 40 55 67 115 126 141 
			 Cumbria 54 33 94 37 62 56 65 
			 Derbyshire 62 49 53 71 95 136 107 
			 Devon and Cornwall 78 51 110 83 137 137 158 
			 Dorset 33 52 46 51 60 55 41 
			 Durham 27 32 47 65 81 66 64 
			 Essex 77 85 69 88 69 96 80 
			 Gloucestershire 17 26 26 33 33 36 49 
			 Greater Manchester 329 360 386 351 289 316 363 
			 Hampshire 60 57 112 105 138 117 145 
			 Hertfordshire 26 29 32 29 57 61 51 
			 Humberside 86 68 105 73 73 115 110 
			 Kent 64 123 121 187 131 123 152 
			 Lancashire 177 103 154 154 189 254 322 
			 Leicestershire 21 40 23 51 61 71 90 
			 Lincolnshire 11 13 28 20 41 40 54 
			 London 676 946 1,086 1,056 1,474 1,433 1,253 
			 Merseyside 157 155 137 232 214 241 332 
			 Norfolk 38 49 57 71 48 60 47 
			 North Yorkshire 27 37 30 42 52 52 51 
			 Northamptonshire 33 35 44 57 51 37 36 
			 Northumbria 89 95 80 170 210 193 223 
			 Nottinghamshire 61 48 112 124 134 130 137 
			 South Yorkshire 103 164 118 147 197 145 203 
			 Staffordshire 116 109 99 111 75 123 92 
			 Suffolk 39 54 33 39 33 35 50 
			 Surrey 22 11 28 45 47 55 50 
			 Sussex 62 204 219 243 334 379 289 
			 Thames Valley 119 120 115 95 137 129 134 
			 Warwickshire 25 31 26 35 29 27 21 
			 West Mercia 72 85 80 111 137 100 104 
			 West Midlands 129 159 146 247 305 301 385 
			 West Yorkshire 340 322 468 504 468 333 265 
			 Wiltshire 33 19 26 46 60 55 48 
			 Dyfed-Powys 40 27 55 52 73 63 60 
			 Gwent 39 53 48 56 79 61 36 
			 North Wales 47 45 31 45 56 45 44 
			 South Wales 54 63 81 113 189 177 183 
			 
			 Dealing class B
			 Avon and Somerset 113 127 112 99 76 75 92 
			 Bedfordshire 59 50 49 39 24 23 32 
			 Cambridgeshire 94 66 86 40 20 41 30 
			 Cheshire 133 122 65 69 41 43 50 
			 Cleveland 82 62 50 46 39 50 54 
			 Cumbria 91 81 51 42 19 37 43 
			 Derbyshire 108 107 87 90 80 57 57 
			 Devon and Cornwall 277 245 199 138 96 126 102 
			 Dorset 58 87 81 55 33 37 44 
			 Durham 102 122 86 65 57 56 67 
			 Essex 172 203 166 88 83 91 81 
			 Gloucestershire 46 51 39 33 11 17 24 
			 Greater Manchester 389 370 427 392 248 254 283 
			 Hampshire 273 329 231 160 84 108 177 
			 Hertfordshire 78 66 68 51 47 42 44 
			 Humberside 141 148 128 82 46 60 71 
			 Kent 197 378 228 150 108 106 119 
			 Lancashire 194 233 151 105 65 115 116 
			 Leicestershire 140 135 107 92 55 68 99 
			 Lincolnshire 90 78 58 34 33 36 29 
			 London 923 997 862 558 607 725 621 
			 Merseyside 193 186 134 121 85 64 85 
			 Norfolk 155 96 119 66 38 54 61 
			 North Yorkshire 78 83 85 53 35 52 49 
			 Northamptonshire 87 88 68 54 19 27 17 
			 Northumbria 252 306 214 171 155 136 156 
			 Nottinghamshire 195 166 148 133 101 84 121 
			 South Yorkshire 224 255 189 129 114 94 142 
			 Staffordshire 127 128 91 105 61 74 88 
			 Suffolk 93 107 91 78 46 42 61 
			 Surrey 66 67 59 45 40 32 40 
			 Sussex 129 183 124 129 149 154 154 
			 Thames Valley 216 215 171 117 118 104 118 
			 Warwickshire 61 49 29 25 15 20 39 
			 West Mercia 147 144 97 98 74 56 60 
			 West Midlands 367 350 347 290 232 237 276 
			 West Yorkshire 407 421 304 232 123 113 156 
			 Wiltshire 51 86 61 53 28 30 49 
			 Dyfed-Powys 160 169 120 102 60 71 72 
			 Gwent 114 126 119 82 75 42 58 
			 North Wales 88 127 69 50 38 46 33 
			 South Wales 261 297 297 187 131 146 165 
			 
			 Dealing class C
			 Avon and Somerset 0 2 1 0 0 0 1 
			 Bedfordshire 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 
			 Cambridgeshire 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 
			 Cheshire 1 2 1 0 0 1 2 
			 Cleveland 2 3 5 1 4 2 5 
			 Cumbria 2 1 1 0 1 0 2 
			 Derbyshire 0 1 0 0 3 0 1 
			 Devon and Cornwall 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 
			 Dorset 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 
			 Durham 5 2 3 1 1 3 5 
			 Essex 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 
			 Gloucestershire 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 
			 Greater Manchester 7 8 3 5 3 4 5 
			 Hampshire 1 1 0 2 0 2 1 
			 Humberside 1 2 1 0 2 4 4 
			 Kent 2 2 0 0 0 0 2 
			 Lancashire 3 2 5 2 0 0 0 
			 Leicestershire 1 2 0 0 0 1 0 
			 Lincolnshire 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 
			 London 4 5 2 3 2 4 4 
			 Merseyside 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 
			 Norfolk 1 2 2 0 1 1 0 
			 North Yorkshire 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Northamptonshire 0 2 0 0 1 0 1 
			 Northumbria 9 12 7 5 9 10 4 
			 Nottinghamshire 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 
			 South Yorkshire 3 1 0 2 0 2 2 
			 Staffordshire 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 
			 Suffolk 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Surrey 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 
			 Sussex 2 3 0 1 0 0 0 
			 Thames Valley 0 1 2 1 0 0 1 
			 Warwickshire 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 
			 West Mercia 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 
			 West Midlands 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 
			 West Yorkshire 4 4 1 15 19 22 10 
			 Wiltshire 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 
			 Dyfed-Powys 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 
			 Gwent 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 
			 North Wales 0 4 1 2 0 0 0 
			 South Wales 6 1 6 3 2 5 5 
		
	
	Note:
	These data are on a principal offence basis.
	Source:
	RDSOffice for Criminal Justice Reform.

Forensic Science Service

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effect of the redistribution of London work of the Forensic Science Service to the provincial laboratories on the efficiency of the organisation; and if he will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The Forensic Science Service (FSS) transferred approximately 1700 cases from the London site to its regional laboratories during the first six months of the financial year 200506. This resulted in a reduction of the London laboratory's caseload by 10 per cent. during this period. It has led to an improved performance in the London laboratory's delivery of the overall FSS target to turnaround 95 per cent. of cases in less than 33 days, which has assisted in improving organisational efficiency.

Freedom of Information

Peter Law: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to his Department passed to the FOI clearing house for evaluation, broken down by (a) subject and (b) date of request.

Charles Clarke: Information about the handling of Freedom of Information requests is published in Freedom of Information Statistics on Implementation in central Government.
	The most recently published report was 30 September 2005 and copies are in the Libraries of both Houses. Additional information about the role of the Clearing House can be found on the DCA website at http://www.foi.gov.uk/guidance/index.htm#2. Departments do not release information about the internal handling of requests, such as details of which requests were referred to the Clearing House for guidance.

Heroin

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much heroin thought to have originated in Afghanistan has been seized in the UK since 2001.

Paul Goggins: It is estimated that approximately 95 per cent. of the heroin bound for the UK originates from opium grown in Afghanistan. Statistics on the numbers and quantities of drugs seized within England and Wales by UK law enforcement can be found in the Drugs Seizure and Offender Statistics Reports published annually by the Home Office. The most recent data available covers 2003.

Immigration Checks

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department during which hours each day (a) passport control and (b) customs and immigration checks are operated at (i) Newhaven Port and (ii)Eurotunnel.

Andy Burnham: At Newhaven, the immigration control is usually operated between 0500 hours to 2300 hours seven days a week. The operating hours are dependent on the number, and times, of the ferry arrivals at Newhaven. For operational reasons it is not HMRC policy to disclose particular deployment patterns to specific ports or airports. The immigration controls operating on the Eurotunnel site in France are staffed by immigration officers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Leave to Remain

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the target processing time is for an application for leave to remain under the provisions of the European Community Association Agreement; and what the average processing time achieved for such applications was in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Tony McNulty: Applications under the provisions of the European Community Association Agreements (ECAA) fall in to the category of non-charged casework. The published service standards for this category are 25 per cent. of postal applications to be processed in 20 working days and 30 per cent. in 70 working days.
	The average time taken from the date of receipt until the date of decision for European Community Association Agreement (ECAA) applications during the period 1 August to 31 October 2005 was 331 days.
	This information has not been quality assured, and is not a National Statistic. It should be treated as provisional management information and may be subject to change.

Major General Almog

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what investigations his Department has carried out into the reasons why Israeli Major General Almog has not been arrested following the issue of the warrant against him in London in September.

Andy Burnham: Any investigation into the reasons why Major General Almog was not arrested, including how he may have become aware that a warrant had been issued, would be a matter for the Metropolitan Police.

Major General Almog

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of how Israeli Major General Almog became aware of the issuing of an arrest warrant against him by Bow Street magistrates court.

Andy Burnham: The arrest warrant, which was issued by Bow Street magistrates court on 10 September 2005 in response to a private application, was withdrawn by the judge who issued it on 15 September 2005.

Non-asylum Immigration Services

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the revised charges for foreign nationals using non-asylum immigration services from April.

Tony McNulty: I refer the hon. member to the statement made by the then Minister for Citizenship and Immigration, my right hon. friend, the member for Kilmarnock and Loudoun (Mr. Browne) on 7 February 2005.

Non-departmental Public Bodies

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those of his Department's advisory non-departmental public bodies which the Government are required (a) to consult prior to legislative proposals and (b) to publish their response to advice received from such bodies.

Charles Clarke: The following are the Home Department's advisory non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) which the Government are required to consult prior to legislative proposals but not required to publish their response to advice from those NDPBs:
	1. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs.
	2. The Police Negotiation Board (PNB). Under section 62 of the Police Act 1996 before making any regulations under section 50 or 52 of that Act the Secretary of State shall take into consideration any recommendation made by the PNB.
	3. The Police Advisory Board (PAB). Under section 63 of the Police Act 1996 before making regulations under section 50 or 52 of that Act the Secretary of State shall supply a draft of those regulations and take into consideration any representations made by the PAB. The Advisory Panel on Country Information (APCI) is a bit different to the above NDPBs. The Government is not required to consult it prior to legislative proposals. However, during the passage of the 2002 Nationality Immigration and Asylum Act and the 2003 debates on affirmative orders made under that Act to add countries to the Non Suspensive Appeals list, Ministers gave some clear assurances. These were that the APCI would be consulted on the country of origin information being used by the Government before making an Order to designate a country. It is not within the remit of the APCI to comment on the decision to designate nor is there a requirement for the Government to publish its response to advice from the APCI.

Parliamentary Questions

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reply to the questions tabled by the hon. Member for Milton Keynes South West relating to General Almog tabled for answer on (a) 11 October, reference 17028 and (b) 19 October, reference 19756 and (c) 7 November, reference 25695.

Tony McNulty: I replied to my hon. Friend on 21 November 2005 (PQs 17028 and 19756) and on 22 November 2005 (PQ 25695).

Passports

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for passports have been rejected when received by post since the new categories of rejection came into operation, broken down by (a) category and (b) passport office.

Andy Burnham: Since the implementation by the UK Passport Service (UKPS) of new photo standards from 12 September 2005, 597,863 passport applications have been received. For a variety of reasons, UKPS has had to contact the applicant for further information on 119,339 applications. Of these queries, 81,927 applications, that is, 13.7 per cent. of total intake have required new photographs to be submitted.
	A breakdown of this information by passport office is shown in the table.
	The three main categories of photograph rejection are incorrect paper quality, facial expression and eyes obscured. The UKPS are currently unable to provide a breakdown of these categories by office. The UKPS will shortly be issuing revised guidance to its customers clarifying how the standards should be met to ensure fuller compliance.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Passport application intake 597,863 
			 Queries  
			 London 1,225 
			 Liverpool 21,291 
			 Peterborough 17,729 
			 Newport 22,568 
			 Glasgow 9,679 
			 Belfast 8,882 
			 Durham 37,965 
			 Total queries 119,339 
			 Total photo rejections 81,927 
			 Photo queries as percentage of intake 13.7%

Passports

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will investigate (a) how the passport of Mrs. Valerie Beale of Winchester (Royal Mail ref 11601472618) was lost in the post, (b) why it was sent to the South Kensington sorting office and (c) why it was delivered to the Natural History Museum.

Andy Burnham: The UK Passport Service (UKPS) understand that Mrs. Beale's passport was lost by Royal Mail en route to a visa application service. The UKPS no longer uses Royal Mail for the despatch of new UK passports. Since 9 February 2004 we have been employing a secure delivery courier service provided by Special Mail Services (SMS). This secure delivery service is also used to return any valid UK passports that are submitted in support of a passport application. UKPS involvement with Mrs. Beale has been limited to providing her with a replacement passport, which was despatched and securely delivered in August 2005.

Passports

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what safeguards he has put in place to prevent the theft of UK passports in the post.

Andy Burnham: Since 9 February 2004 the UK Passport Service has been employing a secure delivery courier service provided by Special Mail Services (SMS) for the despatch and delivery of new UK passports. This secure delivery service is also used to return any valid UK passports that are submitted in support of a passport application.

Passports

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many UK passports were recorded as lost by Royal Mail in the last 12 months, broken down by sorting office.

Andy Burnham: The UK Passport Service does not hold this information.

Passports

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment Royal Mail has made of the security of UK passports in the postal system; and if he will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The UK Passport Service assessed the security of the standard Royal Mail delivery service in 2003 and as a consequence moved to the current secure delivery arrangements on 9 February 2004.

Passports

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many UK passports were lost in the post in the last 12 months for which figures are available; how many of them were sent in with new passport applications; and how many of them were en route to a foreign embassy as part of a visa application.

Andy Burnham: In the last full year that Royal Mail delivered passports (2003), 3,593 passports were reported as lost in post. Secure Delivery commenced on 9 February 2004, and up until 31 March 2005, 683 passports have been reported as lost whilst in the delivery process. It is not possible to provide details of passports reported lost by customers where the loss took place within the Royal Mail whilst passports were en route to UK Passport Service for replacement or to embassies for a visa.

Passports

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on the loss of UK passports by the Royal Mail.

Andy Burnham: Such discussions have not been appropriate, as since 9 February 2004 the UK Passport Service has been employing a secure delivery courier service provided by Special Mail Services (SMS) for the despatch and delivery of new UK passports.

Police and Probation Officers

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many assaults there have been on (a) police officers and (b) probation officers in each year since 1997.

Charles Clarke: Statistics on recorded offences of assaults on a constable are available from one April 1998 and are provided in the following tables.
	Figures on the number of assaults on probation officers are not collected centrally.
	
		Recorded offences of assault on a constable in England and Wales199899 to 200102
		
			 Period Number 
		
		
			 199899 21,510 
			 19992000 26,115 
			 200001 28,000 
			 200102 30,095 
		
	
	Note:
	The data in this table are prior to the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard. These figures are not directly comparable with those for later years.
	
		Recorded offences of assault on a constable in England and Wales 200203 to 200405
		
			 Period Number 
		
		
			 200203 33,743 
			 200304 21,927 
			 200405 23,267 
		
	
	Note:
	The data in this table take account of the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in April 2002. These figures are not directly comparable with those for earlier years.

Police Reform Act (Schedule 4)

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been detained by a community support officer for up to 30minutes under paragraph 2 of Schedule 4 to the Police Reform Act 2002 in each of the last four years, broken down by police authority.

Charles Clarke: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Police Reform Act (Schedule 4)

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many names and addresses of people acting in an antisocial manner have been taken by (a) community support officers and (b) police officers under paragraph 3 of Schedule 4 to the Police Reform Act 2002 in each of the last four years, broken down by police authority;
	(2)  how many people under the age of 18 have been required to surrender alcohol by (a) community support officers and (b) police officers under paragraph 5 of Schedule 4 to the Police Reform Act 2002 in each of the last four years, broken down by police authority;
	(3)  how many people under the age of 16 have been required to surrender tobacco by (a) community support officers and (b) police officers under paragraph 7 of Schedule 4 to the Police Reform Act 2002 in each of the last four years, broken down by police authority.

Charles Clarke: This information is not collected centrally. Police officers cannot be designated with any power under Schedule 4 to the Police Reform Act 2002. They do have equivalent powers.

Politically Exposed Persons

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many suspicious activity reports relating to foreign politically exposed persons received by the National Criminal Intelligence Service referred to persons from (a) Africa, (b) the Middle East, (c) Russia, (d) Europe, (e) Asia, (f) North America and (g) Central and South America in the last five years for which figures are available.

Charles Clarke: The number of suspicious activity reports (SARs) received by the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) which refer to politically exposed persons (PEPs) from the specified areas since 1 February 2005 is as follows:
	
		SARs
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Africa 64 
			 Middle East 45 
			 Russia 24 
			 Europe 19 
			 Asia 34 
			 North America 4 
			 Central and South America (including the Caribbean) 13 
		
	
	A database to register SARs referring specifically to PEPs was established by NCIS on 1 February 2005. The figures given here only reflect SARs recorded there since that date, and may involve single cases where activity is suspected in more than one jurisdiction.

Proceeds of Crime Act

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to bring forward the secondary legislation granting respondents to civil proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 access to retained assets to fund their legal representation; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: holding answer 14 November 2005
	The relevant legislation was commenced in The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (Commencement No.3) Order 2005 (SI 2005 No: 3136) and will come into force on 1 January 2006.

Public Appointments

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the public appointments he has made since 1 July 2005.

Charles Clarke: The public appointments, including re-appointments, made since 1 July are as follows:
	
		
			 Name of NDPB Title Number 
		
		
			 Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs Members 4 
			 Independent Monitoring Boards of Penal Establishments and Immigration Centres Members 116 
			
			 Investigatory Powers Tribunal President 1 
			  Vice-President 1 
			  Members 5 
			
			 National Probation Service: Bedfordshire Dorset South Yorkshire Member 1 
			  Member 1 
			  Chairman 1 
			
			 Office of the Immigration Services Commission Immigration Services Commissioner 1 
			 Police Appeal Tribunal (consisting of Chair, second and third members) Second Members 2 
			 Police Authority- Nottinghamshire Home Secretary's appointee on the selection panel for the appointment of independent members and lay justices to police authorities 1 
			 Police Information Technology Organisation Independent Board member 1

Security Industry

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many meetings his Department has held with the Security Industry Authority to discuss an Approved Contractor Scheme for the private security industry;
	(2)  whether it is his intention that an Approved Contractor Scheme for the private security industry will be voluntary;
	(3)  what assurances he has received from the Security Industry Authority that an Approved Contractor Scheme for the private security industry will not adversely affect existing standards.

Paul Goggins: There have been a large number of meetings between the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and Home Office officials to discuss the Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS). It is the intention of the Home Office that the ACS will be a voluntary scheme. The SIA is committed to the aims of the ACS, as set out in the Regulatory Impact Assessment, to maintain and improve standards in the delivery of security services.

Shrewsbury Prison

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to tackle the overcrowding in Shrewsbury prison.

Fiona Mactaggart: Operational capacity at HMP Shrewsbury was reduced from 350 in October 2004 to 300 for essential building work. Further reductions took place operational capacity was over the following months before returned to the previous level of 300 in June 2005. It is planned to increase operational capacity by up to 40 places in the near future.

Timber

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans his Department has to fund the maintenance of the Central Point of Expertise on Timber.

Charles Clarke: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 10 October 2005, Official Report, column 160W by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Climate Change and Environment to the hon. member for Lewes (Norman Baker).

UK Borders

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the UK's borders as defined by the Immigration Act 1971 are manned 24 hours a day.

Charles Clarke: The Statutory Instrument (SI) 1987/177 designated 35 ports of entry for the purposes of the 1971 Immigration Act. This order consolidates with amendments previous orders designating ports of entry for the purposes of the 1971 Immigration Act.
	Of these, 16 are staffed 24 hours per day and the remaining 19 are staffed in order to ensure that staff meet all services that require immigration control.
	Small ports are staffed in a targeted way based on risk and supported by reliable intelligence.

Yarl's Wood

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many detainees at Yarl's Wood Detention Centre, Bedfordshire, on 8 November had been living in the UK before being detained at Yarl's Wood (a) for less than one month, (b) for more than one month but less than three months, (c) for more than three months but less than six months, (d) for more than six months but less than one year, (e) for more than one year but less than two years, (f) for more than two years but less than three years and (g) for more than three years; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Youth Justice

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many youths under the age of 18 years were convicted of (a) drug offences, (b) fraud and forgery, (c) theft of or from vehicles and (d) criminal damage in 200405; and how many received a custodial sentence.

Paul Goggins: The information requested is shown in the following table for 2004. Data for 2005 is not yet available.
	
		Persons aged under 18 sentenced and given immediate custody for specific offences in England and Wales (2004)
		
			 Offences Defendants sentenced Immediate custody 
		
		
			 Drug offences 4,479 181 
			 Fraud and forgery 762 38 
			 Theft from vehicle 1,061 86 
			 Criminal damage endangering life (excluding arson) 2,495 43 
			 Total 8,797 348 
		
	
	Source:
	RDS-NOMS 9 November 2005

Youth Justice Board

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the national juvenile resettlement action plan developed by the Youth Justice Board.

Fiona Mactaggart: The effective resettlement of juveniles remains the cornerstone of much of the work taken forward by the Youth Justice Board (YJB) for England and Wales to reduce reoffending by children and young people. A National Youth Resettlement Framework for Action is in the final stages of drafting and will be ready for wider consultation with stakeholders in the next few weeks. I will ensure the hon. member receives a printed copy and will arrange for copies to be placed in the Library.